Rathke's cleft cyst

Rathke's cleft cyst is a benign, fluid-filled cyst that develops in the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.

This condition arises from remnants of the Rathke's pouch, a normal part of embryonic development that typically disappears before birth.

However, in some individuals, a portion of this pouch persists, accumulating fluid and forming a cyst over time.

These cysts are usually asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally during imaging studies for other conditions.

When symptoms do occur, they are typically due to the cyst exerting pressure on surrounding structures, such as the pituitary gland or optic chiasm.

This can lead to headaches, visual disturbances, hormonal imbalances, or pituitary dysfunction.

Diagnosis of a Rathke's cleft cyst is typically achieved through MRI, which provides detailed images of the soft tissues of the brain.

Treatment is often conservative, but in cases where the cyst causes significant symptoms or complications, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain or remove the cyst.

Understanding and monitoring of this condition is essential for those affected, as it can impact hormonal regulation and overall health.