Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumor arising in the sphenoid sinus with an avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake masquerading as malignancy: A case report

Yukiko Usui, MD; Ryo Kurokawa, MD, PhD; Takahiro Fukushima, MD; Richi Fujita, MD; Reina Hosoi, MD; Emi Miyawaki, MD; Michio Hayashi, MD; Sadahiro Kishisita, MD; Mariko Kurokawa, MD; Osamu Abe, MD, PhD; Haruyasu Yamada, MD, PhD

Radiology Case Reports (Sep 2023)

Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumor arising in the sphenoid sinus with an avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake masquerading as malignancy: A case report

Yukiko Usui, MD,
Ryo Kurokawa, MD, PhD,
Takahiro Fukushima, MD,
Richi Fujita, MD,
Reina Hosoi, MD,
Emi Miyawaki, MD,
Michio Hayashi, MD,
Sadahiro Kishisita, MD,
Mariko Kurokawa, MD,
Osamu Abe, MD, PhD,
Haruyasu Yamada, MD, PhD

Affiliations

Yukiko Usui, MD: Department of Radiology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
Ryo Kurokawa, MD, PhD: Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Corresponding author.
Takahiro Fukushima, MD: Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
Richi Fujita, MD: Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
Reina Hosoi, MD: Department of Radiology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Emi Miyawaki, MD: Department of Radiology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Michio Hayashi, MD: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Sadahiro Kishisita, MD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Mariko Kurokawa, MD: Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
Osamu Abe, MD, PhD: Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
Haruyasu Yamada, MD, PhD: Department of Radiology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18, no. 9
pp. 2943 – 2947

Abstract

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Ectopic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are uncommon conditions that develop outside of the sella turcica. The sphenoid sinus is the most common site for ectopic PitNET, followed by the suprasellar region, clivus, and cavernous sinus. PitNETs, regardless of whether inside or outside sella, may display avid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and masquerade as malignant tumors. Herein, we report a case of ectopic PitNET arising in the sphenoid sinus, which was found as an FDG-avid mass during cancer screening. On magnetic resonance imaging, the tumor showed heterogeneous and intermediate signal intensity areas on T1- and T2-weighted images with cystic components, which was consistent with PitNET. The localization and the presence of empty sella were suggestive of ectopic PitNET, and the diagnosis of ectopic PitNET (prolactinoma) was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. Ectopic PitNET should be considered in a mass similar in nature to an orthogonal PitNET in areas near the sella turcica especially in patients with empty sella.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

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