Pediatric Rathke Cleft Cyst

Etiology: Non-neonplastic cyst arising from remnants of squamous epithelium of Rathke’s cleft or pars intermedia of adenohypophysis
Imaging MR:
— Usually located between pars anterior and pars posterior
— Intra or suprasellar cyst without calcification or enhancement
— Variable cyst content – mucous (T1 bright), serous (T1 dark) and possible blood products (T2 dark)
— Usually less than 3 millimeters in diameter
— With or without small intracystic nodules
DDX: Pituitary microadenoma
Complications:
Treatment: None
Clinical: Normal variant

Radiology Cases of Rathke Cleft Cyst

MRI of Rathke cleft cyst — Sagittal T1 MRI with contrast of the sella shows an oval non-enhancing lesion located between the anterior and posterior aspects of the pituitary gland.