Metastatic tumor of the pituitary gland

Although metastatic tumors of the pituitary gland and the sellar region are not common, they may radiographically mimic a pituitary tumor. Because the metastasis frequently involves the posterior lobe and because lateral extension to the cavernous sinus is common, patients may present with ptosis, diplopia, or diabetes insipidus. Decrease in anterior pituitary function is less common. Metastatic tumors contain abundant vascular networks, as evidenced by frequent blush on cerebral angiography and increased bleeding at operation. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with rapid onset of bilateral ptosis and ophthalmoplegia and was found to have a metastatic carcinoma within the pituitary gland.