A 53-year-old woman was admitted to our institution complaining of a mild fever, severe headache, and progressive visual loss that had started 4 days before. On admission, the general condition of the patient and the results of the gross neurological examination were unremarkable. Goldmann perimetry testing showed bitemporal hemianopsia. Her visual acuity was 20/400 in the right and 20/200 in the left eye. A computed tomography scan showed a hyperdense, hemorrhagic mass measuring approximately 2.5 cm in diameter in the suprasellar region []. A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scan [ and ] better outlined the mass: it affected both the pituitary stalk and the hypothalamus while reaching cranially the left Monro foramen and compressing the optic nerves and chiasm, a clear signal of an ongoing edema. Cerebral angiography showed no vascular malformation. The results of routine blood and serum examinations were normal. Endocrinological studies of the pituitary function were unremarkable. After 3 days, the patient underwent a gross-total resection of the lesion through an extended endoscopic, endonasal, transsphenoidal route. The resection of the lesion was combined with the opening of the third ventricle through the lamina terminalis. A careful reconstruction of the skull base was performed, with abdominal fat, nasal septal flap, and fibrin glue. After the operation, the visual symptoms improved immediately. On discharge, visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. The patient had a transient incomplete hypopituitarism and mild diplopia which improved after few weeks. After 1 month, the neurological examination was unremarkable. Postoperative MR scan is showed in and . Histological findings confirmed the presence of a CM, showing hemosiderin, reactive fibrohistiocytic, ectatic vascular channels, and dilated cavernous spaces. On immunohistochemistry, the lesion was positive for CD34 staining, marker for endothelial lining, and was negative for elastin staining, thus ruling out an arteriovenous malformation. See showing the main steps of the endoscopic surgery.\nThe PubMed search engine () was used to perform an internet Medline literature research based on the following keywords “chiasma,” “optic,” “sovrasellar,” “CM,” “endoscopic,” and “transsphenoidal” with different combination. There were no limitations as to the timeframe, language, and publication type on the search process. We also cross-checked the references of the articles retrieved by looking for further papers of potential interest.
A 27-year-old gentleman, presented with 3 months history of blurring of vision associated with headache. There was no history of loss of consciousness, seizures, or weakness in limbs. Visual examination showed acuity of 6/6 bilaterally with left temporal field defect.\nMRI of brain, T1W, T2 axial, contrast and multiplanar sequences were performed which showed evidence of lobulated mixed signal intensity lesion seen in the optic chiasm, measuring 18 × 11 mm. Multiple hemorrhagic foci of varying sizes were seen within the lesion. No obvious enhancement was seen after IV contrast material injection. On the right side, the lesion was extending anteriorly up to the optic canal and superiorly abutting the hypothalamus. The features were suggestive of CM of the optic chiasm [Figures and ].\nThe lesion was removed neuro-endoscopically through the trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal route. After reaching the sella, dura opened and the pituitary gland was displaced. Under-surface of chiasm was visualized. The lesion was seen on the surface with brownish discoloration. A small incision was made and the lesion could be removed. Post–operatively, there was a transient worsening left temporal field defect. The histopathological examination and features are consistent with organizing hematoma.