Low grade astrocytoma of the pituitary stalk

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2007 Mar;149(3):307-11; discussion 311-2. doi: 10.1007/s00701-006-1090-0. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

A case of low grade astrocytoma (WHO grade II) localised in the pituitary stalk is reported in a 46 year old female who presented with central diabetes insipidus. Six-monthly magnetic resonance imaging was use to determine the progression of the lesion. The patient had a stereotactic biopsy of the lesion 18 months after the initial presentation. The diagnosis was established with the aid of immunohistochemistry. We emphasize the importance of MRI before initiating therapy to evaluate the pituitary stalk lesion and the effectiveness of stereotactic biopsy in securing tissue diagnosis without additional deficit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / diagnosis
  • Astrocytoma / pathology
  • Astrocytoma / radiotherapy
  • Astrocytoma / surgery*
  • Biopsy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypophysectomy
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Optic Nerve / pathology
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology
  • Pituitary Irradiation
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Ki-67 Antigen