MR Imaging Appearance of Ruptured Rathke Cleft Cyst and Associated Bone Marrow Enhancement

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2023 Nov;44(11):1314-1317. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A8009. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Abstract

Rathke cleft cysts are common cystic pituitary lesions seen on MR imaging. A subset of Rathke cleft cysts can rupture within the sella and are uncommon. The imaging appearance of a ruptured Rathke cleft cyst has been previously described with nonspecific imaging findings. We present 7 cases of ruptured Rathke cleft cysts and basisphenoid bone marrow enhancement below the sella that could be used to potentially distinguish a ruptured Rathke cleft cyst from other cystic lesions.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Cysts* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Pituitary Gland
  • Pituitary Neoplasms*
  • Rupture / pathology