ROBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: A case of metastasis to the pituitary gland from
a ductal adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland is presented. Metastasis to
this site is rare, and a salivary gland source has never previously been de
scribed.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This patient presented with hypopituitarism, includi
ng diabetes insipidus.
INTERVENTION: A craniotomy was performed to alleviate visual loss. The hist
ological features of the sellar tumor were identical to those of a tumor re
moved from the parotid gland 18 months earlier.
CONCLUSION: Although intrasellar tumors originating from embryonic rests of
salivary gland tissue have been reported, metasbsis from a malignant neopl
asm arising within a true salivary gland is also possible and should not be
excluded from consideration for patients in whom a salivary gland-like tum
or is discovered in the sella turcica.