Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Hypophysis: Case Report

Abstract

We encountered a very rare case of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pituitary gland. The patient presented with complaints of headaches and visual disturbance. Physical examination disclosed bitemporal hemianopsia and panhypopituitarism. Radiological findings suggested a pituitary tumor, and surgery was performed via the subfrontal approach. Eosinophilic cells were present in the histological tumor specimens, which led us to the incorrect diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. After dural metastases developed, the primary renal tumor was confirmed. The intracranial metastatic lesions were removed and the primary kidney lesion was embolized. Four other reported cases of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the sellar region are reviewed. In one of the cases, as in ours, an erroneous initial diagnosis of pituitary adenoma was made. © 1988, The Japan Neurosurgical Society. All rights reserved.