[A case of radionecrosis of the pituitary gland region mimicking brain tumor. Case report].

A case is presented of delayed radiation necrosis of the pituitary gland region which appeared 2 years after tonsillar carcinoma surgery, followed by radiotherapy, in a 62-year old woman. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested the presence of an adenoma, metastases or craniopharyngioma, of the pituitary gland region. The lesion was resected, totally, using the fronto-orbital approach. Histopathological examination showed radionecrosis of the neurohypophysis. The patient was released from the hospital in a good health condition without neurologic deficits. On the basis of our case and reports of other authors, we can conclude that complications may arise as a result of radiation damage to neighbouring structures and there is also potential to induce malignant disease.