Acute Adrenal Insufficiency Due to Symptomatic Rathke's Cleft Cyst

Ken TANIGAWA; Shunichi YAMASHITA; Hiroyuki NAMBA; Maria C. VILLADOLID; Hironori KIMURA; Tan TOMINAGA; Masako TSURUTA; Naokata YOKOYAMA; Motomori IZUMI; Shigenobu NAGATAKI

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.31.467

Ken TANIGAWA, Shunichi YAMASHITA, Hiroyuki NAMBA, Maria C. VILLADOLID, Hironori KIMURA, Tan TOMINAGA, Masako TSURUTA, Naokata YOKOYAMA, Motomori IZUMI, Shigenobu NAGATAKI

Author information

Ken TANIGAWA
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Shunichi YAMASHITA
the Department of Cell Physiology, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Hiroyuki NAMBA
the Department of Cell Physiology, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Maria C. VILLADOLID
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Hironori KIMURA
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Tan TOMINAGA
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Masako TSURUTA
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Naokata YOKOYAMA
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Motomori IZUMI
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
Shigenobu NAGATAKI
the First Department of Internal Medicine, Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine

Keywords: hypopituitarism, MR imaging, Rathke, adrenal crisis

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1992 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 467-469

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.31.467

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Abstract

A 65-year-old Japanese man who suffered from secondary hypopituitarism due to Rathke's cleft cyst is reported. Although computed tomography failed to detect any pituitary abnormality, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the presence of a cystic intrasellar mass, initially suggesting craniopharyngioma or abscess. Operative findings revealed Rathke's cleft cysts within the pituitary fossa which resulted in secondary hypopituitarism. Among cases of secondary hypopituitarism with abnormal findings in the pituitary, symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency.
(Internal medicine 31 : 467-469, 1992)

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