Rathke cleft cysts, also known as Rathke's pouch cysts, are noncancerous fluid-filled sacs that develop within the sella turcica region of the brain near the pituitary gland. These cysts are believed to originate from remnants of Rathke's pouch, an embryonic structure that gives rise to the anterior pituitary gland during fetal development.
Rathke cleft cysts generally present as benign and asymptomatic lesions. They are usually small in size, around a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter. These cysts are often detected incidentally during imaging tests performed for unrelated conditions, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans.
While most Rathke cleft cysts remain stable and do not cause any symptoms, some can grow over time and lead to various clinical manifestations. Symptoms, when present, are typically related to compression or displacement of surrounding structures, including the pituitary gland, optic nerves, or hypothalamus. This can result in headaches, visual disturbances, hormonal imbalances, or rarely, pituitary apoplexy (sudden bleeding or infarction of the pituitary gland).
Treatment options for Rathke cleft cysts depend on their size, symptoms, and potential complications. Small, asymptomatic cysts often do not require intervention and may be managed through regular imaging surveillance. However, larger cysts causing significant symptoms or complications may necessitate surgical intervention, either through an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach or traditional craniotomy, to remove or drain the cyst and relieve pressure on surrounding structures. Regular follow-up with healthcare providers is important to monitor any changes or development of symptoms associated with Rathke cleft cysts.
