Is there a need to diagnose Rathkes cleft cyst pre operatively

Background: Rathkes cleft cyst is a rare benign sellar lesion. The exact preoperative diagnosis of this lesion by clinical and radiological features is difficult. Hence it is often misdiagnosed as craniopharyngioma. Aim: To identify the radiological pointers for pre operative diagnosis of Rathkes cleft cyst. Materials and Methods: This study presents the details of nine patients who were operated in our institution between 1998 and 2008. Radiological and histopathological variations were studied. Results: The possibility of Rathkes cleft cyst was considered pre operatively in one patient only. On reviewing the images, characteristic imaging findings were observed in a few cases. Conclusion: As minimally invasive trans-sphenoidal approach is sufficient for treating these lesions, pre operative diagnosis is important.