Sellar atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in an adult: Clinical and pathological dilemmas

Clin Neuropathol. 2021 Sep-Oct;40(5):262-270. doi: 10.5414/NP301352.

Abstract

An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a pediatric embryonic tumor of the central nervous system and is uncommon in adults. We report a case of a 33-year-old female who presented with multiple dural lesions that were diagnosed as ATRT. She had a past history of endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal and subsequent transcranial decompression of suprasellar lesion 6 months prior, with a presumptive diagnosis of atypical pituitary adenoma, which on retrospective evaluation was confirmed as sellar ATRT. Adult sellar ATRT, though rare, has now been proposed as a distinct clinicopathological and genetic variant that is predominantly seen in middle-aged women. We discuss the uniqueness of this rare aggressive tumor with reference to the age, location, and the challenges faced in the clinical and pathological diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / pathology*
  • Teratoma / pathology*

Supplementary concepts

  • Teratoid Tumor, Atypical
  • Typical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor