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Spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) is a rare tumor originating from pituicytes of the neurohypophysis. It typically occurs in the adult population between 50 and 60 years of age and is often misdiagnosed preoperatively as pituitary adenoma because of similar clinical presentation and neuroimaging features. Diffuse nuclear immunoreactivity for TTF-1 (also known as NK2 homeobox 1 factor) is characteristic of SCO and other tumors of the posterior pituitary. We report a case of SCO in a patient who underwent multiple surgical resections for recurrence. The aim of this case report and literature review is to provide an overview of what is currently known about SCO as well as raise the awareness of this entity to endocrinologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuropathologists. Our case is also unusual in that the tumor displayed immunoreactivity for neuronal markers, which is a very rare occurrence.

Cavernous hemangioma in the sellar region is quite rare with only a handful of cases being reported in the English literature. Its clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics can mimic those of a pituitary adenoma. We report two cases of recurrent sellar lesions, both of which were clinically suspected of being pituitary adenomas but histologically confirmed as cavernous hemangiomas. The first case is of a 67-year-old female whose initial resection was diagnosed as "venous angioma". Neuroimaging performed 27 years later demonstrated significant growth of the lesion involving the right cavernous sinus and encasing the right internal carotid artery. The patient then underwent transsphenoidal endoscopic resection of the mass. At the time of the surgery, the lesion was noted to be quite vascular. The second case is a 48-year-old female who underwent emergency resection of a pituitary mass following an apoplectic event. On follow-up 4 years later, the patient reported recurrence of galactorrhea, and MRI had demonstrated regrowth of the mass. She subsequently underwent subtotal resection of the mass. At the time of surgery, brisk bleeding was noted in the operative area. The above two cases demonstrate that cavernous hemangiomas in the sellar region can clinically and radiologically mimic pituitary adenoma and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic sellar mass. .

Background and importance Amputation neuromas consist of non-neoplastic collections of myelinated axons and Schwann cells and typically arise in injured peripheral nerves. Rarely, however, neuromas occur within the spinal cord. Intramedullary amputation neuromas have been described both with and without a history of trauma within the peripheral nervous system. We report a rare case of an isolated intramedullary spinal cord amputation neuroma. Clinical presentation This 43-year-old man presented with progressive and severe gait deterioration for ~ 7 years. Neurological exam revealed multiple positive findings consistent with cervical myelopathy, including positive Babinski and Hoffman signs, sustained clonus with patellar and Achilles reflexes, bilateral lower extremity weakness with increased muscular tone and spasticity, and inability to tandem walk. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 0.6-cm, homogeneously enhancing, intramedullary tumor with surrounding signal change at the C6 level. The lesion was excised and histologic examination revealed microscopic features compatible with an amputation neuroma. Conclusion Intramedullary amputation neuromas are rare and associated with either trauma or other CNS lesions. Our case represents an amputation neuroma in an unusual location in a patient without subjective preceding history of trauma or presence of a second lesion. .

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare slow-growing neoplasm that has predilection for the supratentorial compartment and the temporal lobe. Children and young adults are most frequently affected and they usually present with medically refractory seizures. PXAs involving the spinal cord have been rarely documented. We describe a 15-year-old boy who presented with shoulder/neck pain and upper extremity numbness/weakness. Neuroimaging revealed a solid, contrast enhancing, and intramedullary C5 - C6 mass. Microscopy demonstrated a typical WHO grade II PXA. Molecular testing did not reveal a BRAF V600E, IDH1 R132H, or IDH2 R172H mutation. Two years after a near total resection, significant tumor progression was noted via neuroimaging. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of the molecular characteristics of a spinal cord PXA.