Intrasphenoidal Rathke's Cleft Cyst: Case presentation and literature review

Abstract

Rathke's cleft cyst is a benign lesion of embryological origin with sellar-suprasellar localization. It is found in 12-33% of normal pituitary glands in autopsy series. Although it is mostly asymptomatic, it can cause symptoms by compressing surrounding neural and pituitary tissues. The most common symptoms are endocrine problems, visual problems and headache. Uncommonly, the lesion can present with apoplexy. It is rarely reported outside sellar-suprasellar sites, such as the cerebellopontine angle, prepontine cistern, and intrasphenoidal locations. We present an intrasphenoidal Rathke's cleft cyst found during investigation of a headache and operated on. We discussed the case with literature review and two similar reported cases.