J Korean Med Sci.  2000 Jun;15(3):363-367. 10.3346/jkms.2000.15.3.363.

Metastatic tumors in the sellar and parasellar regions: clinical review of four cases

• Yi HJ
• Kim CH
• Bak KH
• Kim JM
• Ko Y
• Oh SJ

• KMID: 1128640
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2000.15.3.363

Abstract

Metastatic tumors in the sellar and parasellar regions are uncommon and rarely detected in clinical practice. We present four cases of sellar and parasellar metastatic tumors, which metastasized from distant organ in one case and extended directly from adjacent structures in three. Common presenting symptoms were cranial neuropathies, headache and facial pain. Invasion into the cavernous sinus was noted in all cases. We report rare cases of sellar and parasellar metastases. Also, we should consider the possibility of metastasis in these regions for patients who showed the above clinical presentations in systemic cancer patients. In extensive diseases, transient symptomatic relief could be obtained by direct surgical management, even in restricted degree.

Keyword

Sellar Turcica; Neoplasms Metastasis; Brain Neoplasms; Cavernous Sinus

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma/therapy
Adenocarcinoma/radiography
Adenocarcinoma/pathology*
Adult
Breast Neoplasms/radiography
Breast Neoplasms/pathology*
Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/therapy
Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/radiography
Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/pathology*
Case Report
Female
Human
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
Male
Middle Age
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiography
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology*
Palatal Neoplasms/therapy
Palatal Neoplasms/radiography
Palatal Neoplasms/pathology*
Sella Turcica*
Skull Neoplasms/therapy
Skull Neoplasms/secondary*
Skull Neoplasms/physiopathology