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Craniovertebral anomalies associated with pituitary gland duplication
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Abstract
Background: An extremely rare occurrence of the pituitary gland duplication inspired us to examine in detail the accompanying craniovertebral congenital anomalies in a patient involved.
Materials and methods: T1-wighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, as well as the multislice computerised tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography in our patient, as well as in a control group of 10 healthy subjects.
Results: In a 20-year-old male a double pituitary gland was identified, as well as hypothalamic enlargement, tuberomamillary fusion and hamartoma. In addition, the patient also showed a duplicated hypophyseal fossa and posterior clinoid processes, notch of the upper sphenoid, prominent inner relief of the skull, inverse shape of the foramen magnum, third occipital condyle, partial aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas with a left arcuate foramen, duplication of the odontoid process and the C2 body, and fusion of the C2–C4 and T12–L1 vertebrae. The MSCT angiography presented a segmental dilatation of both vertebral arteries and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery, as well as a duplication of the basilar artery.
Conclusions: This patient is unique due to complex craniovertebral congenital anomalies associated with a duplication of the pituitary gland.
Abstract
Background: An extremely rare occurrence of the pituitary gland duplication inspired us to examine in detail the accompanying craniovertebral congenital anomalies in a patient involved.
Materials and methods: T1-wighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, as well as the multislice computerised tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography in our patient, as well as in a control group of 10 healthy subjects.
Results: In a 20-year-old male a double pituitary gland was identified, as well as hypothalamic enlargement, tuberomamillary fusion and hamartoma. In addition, the patient also showed a duplicated hypophyseal fossa and posterior clinoid processes, notch of the upper sphenoid, prominent inner relief of the skull, inverse shape of the foramen magnum, third occipital condyle, partial aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas with a left arcuate foramen, duplication of the odontoid process and the C2 body, and fusion of the C2–C4 and T12–L1 vertebrae. The MSCT angiography presented a segmental dilatation of both vertebral arteries and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery, as well as a duplication of the basilar artery.
Conclusions: This patient is unique due to complex craniovertebral congenital anomalies associated with a duplication of the pituitary gland.
Keywords
atlas aplasia, craniovertebral anomalies, vertebrae fusion, pituitary duplication, third occipital condyle, odontoid duplication
About this articleTitle
Craniovertebral anomalies associated with pituitary gland duplication
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
524-531
Published online
2015-11-27
Page views
1467
Article views/downloads
2076
DOI
10.5603/FM.2015.0118
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2015;74(4):524-531.
Keywords
atlas aplasia
craniovertebral anomalies
vertebrae fusion
pituitary duplication
third occipital condyle
odontoid duplication
Authors
I. Milić
M. Samardžić
I. Djorić
G. Tasić
V. Djulejić
S. Marinković
