J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2017; 78(S 01): S1-S156
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1600782
Poster Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Persistent Embryonal Infundibular Recess (PEIR): Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

Francesco Doglietto
1   Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
,
Francesco Belotti
1   Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
,
Isabella Lupi
2   Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
,
Mirco Cosottini
3   Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
,
Roberto Gasparotti
4   Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
,
Fausto Bogazzi
2   Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
,
Marco M. Fontanella
1   Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Brescia, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Brescia, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 March 2017 (online)

 

Background: The persisting embryonal infundibular recess (PEIR) is a rare anomaly of the floor of the third ventricle, whose pathogenesis is still not well comprehended.

Aim the Study: To describe two recently evaluated cases and provide an updated literature review.

Results and Discussion: PEIR has been previously reported in 8 adult patients. In the earliest cases, this anomalous condition was associated to hydrocephalus and empty sella syndrome. These associations led to the hypothesis that altered intracranial pressure was at the base of the pathogenic process. Nevertheless, Steno et al. recently described one case not associated to hydrocephalus, suggesting a dysembryogenic hypothesis. We evaluated two female patients, aged 34 and 50, referred to the Pituitary Surgery Clinic of Brescia with the diagnosis of a sellar cyst and craniopharyngioma, respectively. Endocrine screening and visual field testing were normal. No signs of hydrocephalus were visible on MRI scans. After a multidisciplinary re-evaluation, diagnosis of PEIR was made in both cases.

Conclusion: PEIR is a rare condition, probably often unrecognized, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic sellar lesions.