Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2017 Sep;22(3):164-169. 10.6065/apem.2017.22.3.164.

Clinical manifestations of Rathke’s cleft cysts and their natural progression during 2 years in children and adolescents

• Jung JE
• Jin J
• Jung MK
• Kwon A
• Chae HW
• Kim DH
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2396135
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2017.22.3.164

Abstract

PURPOSE
Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is an asymptomatic benign lesion. With increased interest in pediatric endocrinology, the prevalence of RCCs in children is also increasing. However, the clinical relevance and proper management of RCC is not well defined in children. Therefore, we investigated the clinical manifestations and radiologic features of RCC in children and adolescents, as well as the natural progression of RCC.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 91 children and adolescents with RCC diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Severance Children's Hospital from January 2006 to December 2015. The clinical, hormonal, and imaging findings were analyzed in patient groups classified according to age. The size of each cyst was assessed in sixty patients who underwent follow-up MRI during the 2 years.
RESULTS
Female patients were predominant (64 vs. 27). The common clinical features at presentation were endocrine dysfunction (59.3%), headache (23.0%), and dizziness (4.4%). Symptoms related to endocrine disorders were more frequent in younger patients. In 7 patients managed surgically, the cysts were significantly larger and more frequently located in the suprasellar region. Of 60 nonsurgical patients with a follow-up MRI performed within 2 years after the diagnosis, the RCC size increased in about 26.7% (n=16).
CONCLUSION
Although 94.4% of the patients with RCC had clinical symptoms, surgery was performed in only about 7.5% of patients. RCC is associated with pituitary insufficiency, thus, baseline and follow-up endocrine function tests are required. Additionally, regular MRI follow-up is required in long-term period to monitor change in size.

Keyword

Central nervous system cysts; Child; Adolescent; Endocrine system diseases; Hormones; Natural history

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Central Nervous System Cysts
Child*
Diagnosis
Dizziness
Endocrine System Diseases
Endocrinology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Humans
Hypopituitarism
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Records
Natural History
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies

Reference

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