What is a pituitary cyst?

The pituitary gland is the most complex endocrine gland in the body. If a pituitary cyst occurs, it can cause serious damage to the health of the body if it is serious. Generally, pituitary cysts do not have obvious symptoms and do not threaten the patient's health. Only a few will show symptoms. When a pituitary cyst affects the patient's physical health, surgical treatment is generally required.

1. What is a pituitary cyst?

Pituitary cyst, professionally called pituitary Rathke's cyst or pituitary colloid cyst. It is a cyst containing cystic fluid that grows in the middle of the pituitary gland. It is a congenital, benign lesion.

2. Why do pituitary cysts occur? Is the incidence high?

When the human embryo develops to 4 weeks, the buccal alveolus of the digestive tract develops into a diverticulum-like structure called Rathke's pouch. At 11-12 weeks, the anterior and posterior walls of the sac proliferate, forming the anterior and middle parts of the pituitary gland. However, a small cavity may remain in the middle part of the pituitary gland. Later in the development process, this cavity is gradually filled with epithelial cells. In a few people, this cavity remains. When the secretion in the cavity increases significantly, the cavity may expand to form a larger cyst, namely Rathke cyst.

The incidence of pituitary cysts is about 13% to 22%, which is about one fifth.

However, don't worry, the vast majority of Rathke cysts do not cause any symptoms and are not a problem.

3. What symptoms does a pituitary cyst cause?

Only a small number of pituitary cysts cause symptoms, the most common of which include headaches, pituitary endocrine dysfunction, and visual dysfunction.

4. What tests should be done if a pituitary cyst is suspected?

A plain scan plus an enhanced scan of the brain's sellar region can confirm this. In addition, endocrine hormone levels and visual field should be checked.

5. Which pituitary cysts do not require treatment?

Most pituitary cysts are discovered during physical examinations or accidentally and do not have any symptoms. We call them asymptomatic pituitary cysts. In this case, no treatment is required, only follow-up observation.

6. Which pituitary cysts require treatment?

Only a few pituitary cysts can cause headaches, endocrine dysfunction, and visual field changes. We call them symptomatic cysts, which require surgical treatment.