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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Secondary Pituitary Abscess Inside Adenoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Xin Zhang1, Guo Yu1, Zunguo Du2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Pituitary abscesses within pre-existing pituitary conditions, such as craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, or Rathke cleft cyst, are quite rare. A case of pituitary abscess secondary to adenoma is presented, and the literature is reviewed.
Case Description:
An 11-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history of sudden-onset headache and visual loss. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar region lesion with intralesional hemorrhage. Preoperative diagnosis was pituitary adenoma with apoplexy. An endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach was used for emergent total tumor resection. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma with apoplexy and inflammation, and microbiologic examination was positive for Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusions:
Secondary pituitary abscess is a rare entity, and preoperative diagnosis is challenging. The treatment strategy includes prompt surgical resection and drainage of the abscess, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy.
