"CT "
"MRI "
"Many publications use the term Rathke cleft cyst interchangeably with pars intermedia cysts. A distinction has long been argued based on embryology and histology, as the pars intermedia is located posterosuperior to the remnant of Rathke pouch 18. Others have suggested using the term pars intermedia cyst for intrapituitary cysts less than 3 mm or crescent-shaped rather than rounded 18. As MRI image resolution improves, identifying small cystic spaces between the anterior and posterior pituitary is increasingly common, seen in up to a third of patients 3,18. Regardless of the term used, these small purely intrapituitary cysts rarely progress; it has been argued that anything smaller than 5 mm should be considered a normal variant and perhaps not even mentioned 18."
"Many publications use the term Rathke cleft cyst interchangeably with pars intermedia cysts. A distinction has long been argued based on embryology and histology, as the pars intermedia is located posterosuperior to the remnant of Rathke pouch 18. Others have suggested using the term pars intermedia cyst for intrapituitary cysts less than 3 mm or crescent-shaped rather than rounded 18. As MRI image resolution improves, identifying small cystic spaces between the anterior and posterior pituitary is increasingly common, seen in up to a third of patients 3,18. Regardless of the term used, these small purely intrapituitary cysts rarely progress; it has been argued that anything smaller than 5 mm should be considered a normal variant and perhaps not even mentioned 18."
Expected headings
"CT "
"MRI "
"Signal characteristics"
"Rathke cleft cysts are non-neoplastic, sellar or suprasellar epithelium-lined cysts arising from the embryologic remnants of Rathke pouch in the pituitary gland. They are common lesions and are usually identified incidentally."
"Many publications use the term Rathke cleft cyst interchangeably with pars intermedia cysts. A distinction has long been argued based on embryology and histology, as the pars intermedia is located posterosuperior to the remnant of Rathke pouch 18. Others have suggested using the term pars intermedia cyst for intrapituitary cysts less than 3 mm or crescent-shaped rather than rounded 18. As MRI image resolution improves, identifying small cystic spaces between the anterior and posterior pituitary is increasingly common, seen in up to a third of patients 3,18. Regardless of the term used, these small purely intrapituitary cysts rarely progress; it has been argued that anything smaller than 5 mm should be considered a normal variant and perhaps not even mentioned 18."
"rare in childhood; mostly seen in adults with a peak incidence at 30-50 years 17"
"no contrast enhancement of the cyst is seen; however, a thin enhancing rim of surrounding compressed pituitary tissue may be apparent 9,10"