Do the suprasellar neurenteric cyst, the Rathke cleft cyst and the colloid cyst constitute a same entity?

Abstract

Two cases of entirely suprasellar cysts are reported. Total surgical removal was performed in both cases. Pathological and immunohistochemical profiles were consistent with neurenteric cysts, Rathke's cleft cysts or colloid cysts and was also in keeping with an endodermal origin. It is now admitted that these three kinds of cysts share similar histological and immunohistological features. We propose an hypothesis of common embryological origin from endodermal remnants.

Intraparenchymal Supratentorial Neurenteric Cyst

“…1 7 Neurenteric cysts stain positive for cytokeratin markers, and are negative for neuronal and ectodermal markers such as GFAP, S-100, neuron specific enolase and synaptophysin. 3,13,14 Neurenteric cysts are usually, but not always, positive for CEA which is a marker of the embryonic gastrointestinal tract. 2 , 1 4 Ependymal cysts react positively for GFAP and negative for cytokeratin and CEA.…”

“…17 Different explanations for their formation have thus been proposed. Graziani et al 14 suggested that suprasellar neurenteric cysts, Rathke's cleft cysts, and colloid cysts arise from Seessel's pouch which is an outpouching of the oropharyngeal membrane in the 42-day-old embryo. 14 S e e s s e l 's pouch regresses in humans but forms the adenohypophysis in inferior vertebrates.…”

“…14 S e e s s e l 's pouch regresses in humans but forms the adenohypophysis in inferior vertebrates. 14 The final location of the Seessel's pouch remnant will determine its name. 1 4 A presellar or retrosellar cyst would be called a neurenteric cyst whereas a cyst in the third ventricle would be referred to as a colloid cyst and an intrasellar cyst would be a Rathke's cleft cyst.…”

“…1 4 A presellar or retrosellar cyst would be called a neurenteric cyst whereas a cyst in the third ventricle would be referred to as a colloid cyst and an intrasellar cyst would be a Rathke's cleft cyst. 14 The explanation for the formation of a neurenteric cyst in the frontal lobe is as yet uncertain. The endodermal tissue may arise by way of a yet undermined process of anomalous differentiation of ectodermal tissue.…”

“…1 0 , 11 S u p r a t e n t o r i a l neurenteric cysts are very rare and none of the cysts in those cases reported to date have been located within the brain parenchyma. 3,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] We report a case of a 35-year-old female who underwent successful excision of an intraaxial right frontal lobe neurenteric cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of A B S T R A C T: B a c k g r o u n d : Neurenteric cysts are congenital cysts of the central nervous system that are believed to be of endodermal origin.…”