Rathke's cleft cyst
Encyclopedia
A Rathke's cleft cyst is a benign growth found on the pituitary gland
in the brain, specifically a fluid-filled cyst
in the posterior portion of the anterior pituitary gland. It occurs when the Rathke's pouch
does not develop properly, and ranges in size from 2 to 40mm in diameter.
Asymptomatic cysts are common, detected during autopsies of 2 to 26 percent of individuals who have died of unrelated causes. Females are twice as likely as males to have a cyst. Symptomatic cysts can trigger visual disturbances, pituitary dysfunction and headaches. Close to half of symptomatic individuals have a visual disturbance, with less common symptoms including diabetes insipidus
, amenorrhoea
, and galactorrhea
.
The treatment of choice for symptomatic cysts is drainage and taking a biopsy. Radical excision is more dangerous, because it damages surrounding brain structures, and can cause more bleeding.
The first Rathke's cleft cyst was detected during an autopsy in 1913.
Pituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
in the brain, specifically a fluid-filled cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
in the posterior portion of the anterior pituitary gland. It occurs when the Rathke's pouch
Rathke's pouch
In embryogenesis, Rathke's pouch is a depression in the roof of the developing mouth in front of the buccopharyngeal membrane. It gives rise to the anterior pituitary , a part of the endocrine system.-Development:...
does not develop properly, and ranges in size from 2 to 40mm in diameter.
Asymptomatic cysts are common, detected during autopsies of 2 to 26 percent of individuals who have died of unrelated causes. Females are twice as likely as males to have a cyst. Symptomatic cysts can trigger visual disturbances, pituitary dysfunction and headaches. Close to half of symptomatic individuals have a visual disturbance, with less common symptoms including diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine, with reduction of fluid intake having no effect on the concentration of the urine. There are several different types of DI, each with a different cause...
, amenorrhoea
Amenorrhoea
Amenorrhoea , amenorrhea , or amenorrhœa, is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Physiological states of amenorrhoea are seen during pregnancy and lactation , the latter also forming the basis of a form of contraception known as the lactational amenorrhoea method...
, and galactorrhea
Galactorrhea
Galactorrhea or galactorrhoea is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care defines galactorrhea as "nipple discharge." -Causes:...
.
The treatment of choice for symptomatic cysts is drainage and taking a biopsy. Radical excision is more dangerous, because it damages surrounding brain structures, and can cause more bleeding.
The first Rathke's cleft cyst was detected during an autopsy in 1913.