Neurosarcoidosis-Induced Hypophysitis Mimicking Pituitary Macroadenoma.

Sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation in the affected organs. Isolated involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with sarcoidosis is rare. We report a rare case of a female patient in whom hypophysitis, mimicking a pituitary macroadenoma, resulted in pituitary transsphenoidal surgery. A female patient had been complaining of bilateral temporal headaches for over a month. Brain MRI showed a pituitary adenoma of height 16 mm, width 16 mm, and depth 12 mm. Hormonal assay showed central hypothyroidism and elevated level of prolactin. Histological examination revealed granulomatous hypophysitis. A specific search for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative on the pituitary tissue. After the exclusion of differential diagnoses, the combination of clinical, laboratory and radiological tests led to the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis. This report presents an uncommon case of a pituitary localization of neurosarcoidosis mimicking a macroadenoma. Understanding the different MRI aspects of neurosarcoidosis is essential to avoid interpretive blunders that could result in an incorrect diagnosis.

An unusual presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is exceptional cause of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). It has an estimated prevalence of 0.3 to 5.6% and is rarely associated with non-medullary thyroid cancer. OBSERVATION: We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma resulting in a hyperparathyroidism and revealing a papillary thyroid carcinoma and emphasize on the management particularities of this entity. A 37-year-old woman, with prolactin secreting pituitary microadenoma, presented with asthenia and bone pain. Laboratory findings were consistent with PHPT. Neck ultrasonography showed a 3 cm nodule adjacent to the right thyroid lobe with no abnormalities in the thyroid gland. Parathyroid scintigraphy showed a right inferior parathyroid adenoma. Because of the patient age and the decreased renal function, surgical treatment was required. During the intra-operative neck exploration, a juxta-thyroid tumoral right mass was strongly adherent to the right infra-hyoid muscle and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The frozen examination of the mass demonstrated malignancy features suggesting a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Thus, a total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection was carried out. Final histopathological examination showed a 3.5 cm PC infiltrating the thyroid gland with a papillary thyroid microcarcinoma of the left thyroid lobe. External radiotherapy of the neck, indicated for PC, was performed 1 month after surgery. A radioactive iodine therapy was used 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, PC is to bear in mind in case of PHPT. The association between PC and differentiated thyroid carcinoma is not to be ignored.

Esthesioneuroblastoma presenting as syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

Hyponatremia is the most common fluid electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the main cause of normovolemic hyponatremia, it can be caused by diverse etiologies: malignant tumors are the most feared cause that clinician persists in finding. Exceptionally, SIADH can complicate Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) or olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare tumor of the nasal sinus cavities. We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient admitted for recurrent headaches and vomiting, with a profound normovolemic hyponatremia at the initial assessment. Biological explorations have concluded in a SIADH. Imaging showed a mass of the left nasal cavity with extensions to the ipsilateral paranasal sinuses. The biopsy of the lesion, under endoscopic control, was inconclusive. The anatomopathological study, after surgical removal, concluded in ENB. The postoperative evolution was marked by the normalization of the natremia.

Association of an empty sella and grave´s disease in a patient with acromegaly: a case report.

Acromegaly is, in most cases, caused by growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas. Those patients often develop different pathologies of the thyroid gland, however, the occurrence of Grave´s disease is quite a rare situation. We report a case of a 64-year-old female patient who presented with signs of hyperthyroidism and imbalance of her diabetes mellitus. On physical examination, she had facial features of acromegaly. Biochemical testing confirmed the suspicion of acromegaly and Grave´s disease, with an elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 and a suppressed thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) with positive TSH-receptor antibodies. A pituitary Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed, revealing a macro-adenoma and an empty sella. The patient successfully underwent a transsphenoidal surgery and obtained a remission of her hyperthyroidism under anti-thyroid drugs.