title: Challenging Diagnosis and Surgical Management of a Symptomatic Sellar Spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The sellar spine is a rare, bony growth that typically arises from the dorsum sellae. Few cases have been described in the literature thus far, and most are asymptomatic and incidentally found. We describe the case of a 19-year-old female in whom a sellar spine was noted to be associated with pituitary glandular deformation and symptomatic optic apparatus compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records including clinical data, pathologic, and imaging findings pertaining to the single patient presented herein were retrospectively reviewed. The patient underwent resection of the hyperostotic sellar spine for decompression of the optic chiasm and pituitary gland via an endoscopic endonasal approach. She immediately reported complete resolution of her bitemporal visual deficits. Her headaches completely resolved, she had no further transient visual deficits, and all other prior presenting symptoms and signs resolved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognition of a sellar spine can be elusive, and removal of a symptomatic one may be technically challenging. It is important to consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of a patient with headaches and bitemporal visual deficits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chivukula
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Everson
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linetsky
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heaney
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Marilene B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, David School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic address: mbergsneider@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergsneider
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D019723:Endoscopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dorsum sella; Endoscopic endonasal surgery; Hyperostosis