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Rathke’s Cleft Cyst

Rathke’s cleft cyst is a rare, benign cyst that appears during early fetal development in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. The fluid-filled cyst grows from a piece of the Rathke’s pouch, located behind the roof of the mouth. The cyst rarely causes symptoms during childhood and is most often discovered in adulthood during unrelated diagnostic procedures. Women are more likely than men to develop the condition. If the tumor grows large enough, it may cause visual changes or interfere with the pituitary gland’s hormone production.

Best in Care

The AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute is a state-of-the-art facility for adults and children affected by Rathke’s cleft cyst. We specialize in minimally invasive treatments that identify and drain the cyst. These advanced techniques pinpoint affected tissue with millimeter precision, enabling our surgeons to eliminate the cyst or reduce its size. Minimally invasive endoscopic approaches allow removal through the nasal cavity. Recovery is quicker, because no incision is made.