Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Pituitary abscess: an unexpected diagnosis

Anatoly Shuster1, Thorsteinn Gunnarsson, Doron Sommer

  • 1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hamilton General Hospital, 908 Mohawk Road East, Unit 205, Hamilton, ON, Canada. tshuster2000@yahoo.com

Pediatric Radiology
|November 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A rare pituitary abscess was diagnosed in a 16-year-old girl using contrast-enhanced MRI. This imaging technique is crucial for diagnosing this uncommon infectious pituitary gland disease.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Pituitary gland pathologies present diverse clinical manifestations.
  • Pituitary abscess is an infrequent yet serious infectious condition affecting the pituitary gland.

Observation:

  • A 16-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of a pituitary abnormality.
  • Initial clinical presentation prompted further diagnostic investigation.

Findings:

  • Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was instrumental in the diagnostic process.
  • Imaging findings were consistent with a primary pituitary abscess.
  • Surgical findings corroborated the diagnosis of pituitary abscess.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of advanced imaging, specifically contrast-enhanced MRI, in diagnosing rare pituitary pathologies.
  • Emphasizes the role of multidisciplinary collaboration between radiology, endocrinology, and surgery for effective patient management.
  • Contributes to the limited case literature on primary pituitary abscesses in adolescents.

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:29

Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Diagnosing and managing appendicitis requires a structured and comprehensive approach that spans from initial assessment to postoperative care. Here is an overview of the process:
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care01:26

Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...