Intrasellar abscess simulating a pituitary tumour

A case of an abscess of the sella turcica discovered during craniotomy for pituitary tumour in a 20-year-old man is presented. The clinical features of this unusual intrasellar lesion are discussed. The importance of early diagnosis, high-dosage antibiotics and surgical intervention in reducing the high mortality associated with abscesses in this location are emphasized. It is suggested that abscess of the sella turcica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a sella mass in any patient with a recent history of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, sphenoid sinusitis or meningitis.