Case Report Suprasellar granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis with specific radiological features: a case report

Granular cell tumour (GCT) is a rare tumour seen in the sellar suprasellar region which is believed to arise from either the infundibulum or the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Preoperative prediction of the diagnosis on the basis of radiological appearance is useful as these tumours carry specific surgical difficulties. A 63-year-old man underwent brain CT for a medical check-up at our hospital, and a suprasellar tumor was detected. Brain CT demonstrated a well-defined, homogenous, slightly hyperdense suprasellar tumor. Enhanced CT of brain demonstrated the mass showed obviously homogeneous enhancement. MRI detected a lobular tumor that was isointense on T1-weighted images, hypointense on T2-weighted images, and showed slightly heterogeneous enhancement after administration of gadolinium. MRI showed the lesion involved the pituitary stalk and spared the pituitary gland. Subtotal tumor resection was performed, and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granular cell tumor. We also review the literature focusing on radiographic findings of granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis.