The pituitary cyst of the brain is a rather insidious disease. Most often, this pathology proceeds unnoticed by the patient. A person for a long time does not feel any painful manifestations. The pituitary gland is the central gland of the human body that controls the entire endocrine system. Neoplasms in this area lead to serious hormonal disruptions that occur only in the later stages. How to identify a cyst in time? And how to treat this pathology? We will consider these issues in the article.
What it is?
The pituitary gland is an appendage of the brain that produces tropic hormones. These substances regulate the secretion of other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is responsible for the function of the following organs:
- thyroid gland;
- adrenal glands;
- gonads.
The pituitary gland also produces hormones that affect bone growth and water balance in the body. Therefore, any neoplasm in the appendage of the brain can lead to serious disorders in the work of various organs and systems.
The pituitary cyst of the brain is a benign mass. It looks like a spherical tumor consisting of epithelial cells. Its cavity is filled with liquid. In most cases, this pathology affects young men.
If the size of the cyst is small (up to 1 cm), then the patient does not feel any unpleasant manifestations. A neoplasm is detected by chance during an MRI or CT scan of the head. Neurological symptoms and hormonal disorders appear only with strong tumor growth.
Causes
At present, the exact causes of the appearance of the pituitary cyst of the brain have not been established. Endocrinologists believe that the following factors can provoke the occurrence of a neoplasm:
- hereditary predisposition;
- infectious and inflammatory processes in the brain;
- head injuries;
- neurosurgical operations.
However, quite often such neoplasms appear for no reason. Also, in medicine, there have been cases when the cyst resolves on its own. However, such a favorable outcome is possible only with small tumor sizes.
Neurological symptoms
In 80% of cases, neurological symptoms of the pituitary cyst of the brain do not appear. The patient's health remains normal, and the person does not even suspect the presence of a neoplasm.
If the size of the cyst is more than 1 cm, then it begins to put pressure on the brain tissue. The patient is disturbed in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid). This leads to an increase in pressure inside the skull, which is manifested by the following symptoms:
- headaches of a bursting nature (especially in the morning);
- nausea
- visual impairment;
- a feeling of pressure on the eye sockets from the inside;
- dizziness.
If you do not start treatment at this stage, then in the future the patient develops serious hormonal disorders.
The pineal gland (pineal gland) is also located in the cranium. This organ is located near the pituitary gland. A small cyst of the pineal gland of the brain can give similar symptoms. Determine the exact localization of the tumor is possible only with the help of tomography.
Signs of hormonal imbalance
With a large tumor, the patient has serious complications. The consequences of the pituitary cyst in the brain in advanced form are various hormonal disorders. After all, the pituitary gland controls almost all the endocrine glands. Pathological changes in this organ adversely affect the endocrine system.
Symptoms and treatment of the pituitary cyst of the brain depend on the location of the neoplasm. The central gland of the human body is divided into several parts. Each of them produces certain types of secrets. It is important to determine by analysis: which hormone is produced in increased or decreased amounts. The clinical picture of endocrine disorders will depend on this.
In patients with a pituitary cyst of the brain, the following hormonal disorders may occur:
- Thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism. These pathologies develop due to a violation of the formation of the hormone TSH, which is responsible for the thyroid gland.
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease. Excessive production of ACTH hormone disrupts adrenal function. This leads to obesity, high blood pressure, infertility. Women have excessive facial hair growth and menstrual irregularities.
- Hypofunction of the gonads. This is the result of improper production of gonadotropic hormones - FSH and LH. As a result of this, ovulation is disrupted in women and infertility occurs, while in men spermatogenesis is inhibited and potency worsens.
- Acromegaly. A cyst can provoke an increased formation of growth hormone. This leads to a disproportionate increase in the bones of the face, hands and feet in adults.
- Diabetes insipidus. This pathology is caused by a deficiency of the hormone vasopressin. The patient suffers from severe thirst and excessive urination. 6 - 15 l of urine can be allocated per day, which significantly exceeds the norm. This disease leads to severe dehydration.
- Hyperprolactinemia Prolactin is a hormone that is responsible for the formation of milk during breastfeeding. If it is produced in increased quantities outside of lactation, then menstruation ceases and white discharge from the nipples appears. In men, hyperprolactinemia leads to gynecomastia, infertility and a sharp decrease in potency.
Other complications
Hormonal pathologies are not the only complication of a cyst. Tumor growth leads to cerebral hypertension. This is a dangerous condition in which the pressure inside the skull rises sharply. The consequences of hypertension can be loss of vision and cerebral edema.
Cyst cells can undergo malignant degeneration. This complication is extremely rare. But when exposed to adverse factors, the cyst can degenerate into a dangerous tumor.
During pregnancy
If a woman has endocrine disorders on the background of the pituitary cyst, pregnancy is not always possible. Many patients suffer from ovulation disorders and infertility. They need hormonal treatment to normalize reproductive function.
If pregnancy nevertheless has come, then during the period of gestation the cyst is not treated. This neoplasm does not affect the development and health of the unborn child. They begin treatment only after childbirth. During pregnancy, the tumor usually stops growing, and sometimes even dissolves on its own.
Diagnostics
Neuropathologists and endocrinologists are involved in the treatment of pituitary cysts of the brain. It is to these specialists that one should contact when a tumor is suspected in this area. For the purpose of diagnosis, doctors prescribe the following examinations:
- electroencephalogram;
- ECHO gram of the brain;
- MRI or CT of the head;
- radiograph of the skull.
An ophthalmologist consultation and fundus examination may be required. This study reveals signs of increased cerebral pressure.
Be sure to prescribe a blood test for pituitary hormones. This helps determine the presence of endocrine disorders.
Conservative therapy
How to treat a pituitary cyst of the brain? If the symptoms of the pathology are not expressed, and the cyst is small, then dynamic observation is recommended. The patient needs to visit a doctor regularly and undergo a diagnosis. This allows you to monitor the growth of the tumor.
If the tumor is large, then you can get rid of it only surgically. But for many patients, surgery is contraindicated. In this case, drugs are prescribed that stop the growth of the neoplasm:
- "Bromocriptine."
- Dostinex.
If the patient has signs of cerebral hypertension (headache, nausea, visual disturbances), then diuretics are indicated:
- Diacarb.
- Veroshpiron.
- Furosemide.
With secondary disorders in the functioning of the endocrine glands, hormonal preparations are required. Their choice depends on the type of endocrine disorder.
Physiotherapeutic methods are not used. However, there are cases when patients are prescribed physiotherapy to treat other diseases. Could this lead to proliferation of the pituitary cyst of the brain? Physiotherapy can be carried out only after consultation with an endocrinologist. Not all types of procedures are indicated for such patients. Only a doctor can evaluate all possible risks.
Operation
If the cyst is large and compresses brain tissue, then this is an indication for surgery. Surgical intervention is carried out in less traumatic ways:
- Endoscopic. A small hole is made in the bones of the skull. A cyst is removed through it. The progress of the operation is monitored using a device with a camera.
- Transnasal. This method of operation allows you to do without craniotomy. Surgical intervention is carried out through the nasal passage. The doctor makes a small hole in the septum of the nasal sinus and gains access to the pituitary gland. The cyst is removed in parts. After surgery, the patient recovers quickly. Such an intervention is only possible with small tumor sizes.
Surgery is a radical way to get rid of a cyst. However, in about 20% of cases, a re-occurrence of the neoplasm is noted.
Folk remedies
It is impossible to get rid of cystic formation in the pituitary gland with the help of traditional medicine recipes. However, home remedies can serve as a good complement to medical or surgical treatment. Before using them, you need to consult an endocrinologist or a neurologist.
Herbal remedies that stop the growth of cysts can be purchased at pharmacies. These include:
- "Hemlock tincture."
- "Tincture of a klopovnik".
- "Collection of herbs Zdrenko No. 99" (a complex of plants with antitumor effects).
When using drugs based on hemlock, great care must be taken, since this plant is poisonous. In no case should you allow an overdose of such funds, otherwise you can get serious poisoning.
Conclusion
It is quite difficult to prevent the occurrence of cystic formations in the pituitary gland. After all, medicine does not know the exact reasons for their appearance. One can only advise to visit a neurologist more often and regularly do an MRI of the head. Such neoplasms are usually diagnosed by chance. Preventive examinations and examinations are especially necessary for people with a hereditary predisposition to the occurrence of cysts, as well as those who have suffered skull injuries and brain infections.