Silent ACTH cell adenoma in coincidence with granulomatous hypophysitis - A case report

A 44-year-old mate suffered from an inactive pituitary adenoma measuring 20mm in computed tomography (CT) scan and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography (NMR). The tumor was surgically resected via the transnasal-trans-sphenoidal route. Surgical specimens revealed a typical, sparsely granulated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cell adenoma, but also a granulomatous inflammation mostly in the periphery of the tumor, corresponding to a granulomatous hypophysitis. This coincidence appears to be unique and has yet not been described in the literature. Therefore, the clinical data and the pathohistologic and ultrastructural findings are presented here. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.