Pericallosal lipomas are fat-containing lesions occurring in the interhemispheric fissure (the deep groove that separates the left and right sides of the brain) closely related to the corpus callosum. It is the most common location for an intracranial lipoma. Curvilinear pericallosal lipomas are usually thin, elongated and curvilinear along the corpus callosum margin.
The corpus callosum is a large, C-shaped nerve fiber bundle found beneath the cerebral cortex (the wrinkly outermost layer of the brain which is responsible for thinking and processing information from the five senses). It stretches across the midline of the brain, connecting the left and right sides, and makes up the largest collection of white matter tissue (the brain tissue that contains nerve fibers and serves as the connection point to other parts of the brain) found in the brain.Developmental abnormalities or disorders of the corpus callosum include complete agenesis (absence), partial agenesis (hypogenesis), thinning (hypoplasia), or thickening (hyperplasia). In partial agenesis, the corpus callosum is shorter in its anterior-posterior length as a result of missing segment(s). In hypoplasia, the corpus callosum is normal in its anterior-posterior length, but there is thinning. In hyperplasia, the corpus callosum is thicker than expected.
The pituitary gland is a small gland that sits in the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression located in the bone at the base of the skull. It produces hormones that control different processes in the body, including metabolism, growth and reproduction. “Empty sella” is a radiologic description and not a clinical condition - the sella turcica is either partially filled with cerebrospinal fluid and a very small pituitary gland (partially empty sella), or completely filled with cerebrospinal fluid with no visualized pituitary gland (completely empty sella). Empty sella syndrome may occur as a primary disorder, from an unknown cause, or as a secondary disorder, from an underlying condition such as a treated pituitary tumor, head trauma, or elevated intracranial pressure. In empty sella syndrome, the pituitary gland is usually functioning normally. In empty sella syndrome, the pituitary gland is usually functioning normally, so most individuals do not have any symptoms.
The pineal gland is located deep in the center of the brain, and is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone which helps maintain our natural sleep-wake cycle. For unknown reasons, cysts (thin-walled fluid collections) can form within the pineal gland. The majority of pineal cysts stay stable in size or even shrink away. In rare cases, pineal cysts can grow over time and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), causing hydrocephalus (enlargement of the normal fluid cavities in the brain [ventricles]) and symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, lethargy, confusion and double vision. If you develop these symptoms, it is a medical emergency requiring immediate care in a hospital.
Phthisis bulbi is a degenerative eye condition that is characterized by having severe irregular eye shrinkage and calcification (calcium buildup in the tissues of the eye that hardens over time). Common causes of phthisis bulbi include severe trauma to the eye, complications from eye surgery, inflammation, infection, and retinal detachment. Since this is a degenerative condition, symptoms such as changes in vision (e.g. blurred, cloudy vision), pain, and visual loss may worsen over time. Early treatment of the underlying cause is the best strategy to avoid and prevent complete vision loss.
The pituitary gland is a small gland that sits in the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped depression located in the bone at the base of the skull. It produces hormones that control many different processes in the body, including metabolism, growth and reproduction. A cyst (fluid-filled pouch) can also arise from the pituitary gland. Pituitary cysts are not cancerous. Sometimes the fluid increases, putting pressure on the pituitary gland or on nearby nerves or brain tissue and causing symptoms such as headaches, visual impairment, and/or hormone changes.
