A Rare Case of Rathke’s Cleft Cyst Apoplexy

Abstract

The occurrence of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) apoplexy is extremely rare. This is often misdiagnosed due to similar presentations to subarachnoid haemorrhage and pituitary apoplexy. This case highlights an excellent example of similar clinical presentation and serves as a learning case for clinicians. A 40-year-old lady presented to a district hospital with 9 days of worsening severe headache associated with blurring of vision, photophobia, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. Nuchal rigidity and Brudzinski’s positive. Blood test showed hyponatremia, raised inflammatory markers and normal dynamic pituitary function test. CT Head demonstrated no evidence of space-occupying lesion or intracranial haemorrhage. Lumbar puncture showed xanthochromia positive consistent with subarachnoid haemorrhage. MRI head advised by Neurosurgery team and revealed a focal lesion involving anterior pituitary macroadenoma with mass effect on optic chiasm with possible haemorrhage within. Further assessment in tertiary hospital confirmed loss of visual acuity and field deficit. Patient underwent emergency endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal resection of apoplectic tumour and repair of CSF leak with graft from thigh. Histopathology report showed a Rathke’s cleft cyst with squamous metaplasia. Post operatively, the patient developed sinusitis which fully recovered, and MRI showed good decompression. The author demonstrated a rare case of symptomatic RCC which was initially presumed to be pituitary apoplexy. Radiology imaging and treatment approach for both conditions are quite similar and can only be differentiated by histopathology. Further research is required to identify the causes and risk factors of RCC apoplexy to aid early detection and diagnosis.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue-2: 2021 Page: S23