What Are the Different Types of Pituitary Cyst?

Pituitary colloid cyst is a congenital disease that originates from benign epithelial cysts of the pituitary Rathke's sac, also known as Rathke cysts, pituitary cysts, epithelial mucus cysts, and epithelioid cysts.

Pituitary colloid cyst

Pituitary colloid cyst

In person

Pituitary Rathke

The most common clinical conditions are headache, pituitary

Symptomatic Saddle Rathke

Headaches in most patients,

1 Differentiation of Rathke cysts and craniopharyngiomas Rathke cysts are mostly found in adults, and craniopharyngiomas are most commonly under 20 years of age; patients with craniopharyngiomas often have more severe endocrine symptoms than patients with Rathke cysts; Rathke cysts are generally smaller The average diameter is 10mm. Although Rathke cysts may extend to the saddle, the main body is inside the saddle, and the main body of craniopharyngioma is on the saddle. On CT, calcification of craniopharyngioma is common (87%), while Rathke cysts (13%) are rare. When CT and MRI show a round or inner round mass that develops in or over the saddle, the boundary is clear, the density or signal is uniform, and there is no enhancement, and the periphery is easier to strengthen, especially when the size of the mass is about 1cm, and Pituitary Rathke cysts should be considered when there is a clear boundary in the surrounding pituitary tissue.

2 Identification of Rathke cysts and arachnoid cysts Arachnoid cysts contain fluids similar to cerebrospinal fluid. The signals are uniform long T1 and long T2, while Rathke's cyst fluid has various signals.

3 Rathke cysts and pituitary adenomas: When Rathke cysts <10mm and located in the saddle, low signal on the T1-weighted image should be distinguished from pituitary microadenomas. The former has smoother and sharper edges and lower signal. If a small cyst is highly signaled on a T1-weighted image, it is more likely to be a Rathke cyst. When the diameter of Rathke cyst is greater than 10mm, the T1 weighted low signal is the same as that of pituitary adenoma, and if the T1 weighted low signal is high, it should be distinguished from pituitary adenoma stroke. Rathke's cysts generally have a uniform signal, with less expansion of the saddle. When Rathke's clinical and imaging manifestations are not typical, even with adenoma or bleeding, the differential diagnosis is still difficult, and most require surgery to confirm the diagnosis.