Abscess formation in invasive pituitary adenoma: case report

Pituitary abscess is rare, with few cases of secondary pituitary abscess reported. To our knowledge, only 14 cases of pituitary adenomas with abscess have been reported, and this is the first report to include a magnetic resonance image of a pituitary adenoma with abscess.

A 22-year-old man presented with decreasing vision, headache, and vomiting. His higher functions were normal, with visual disturbance in both eyes. Computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance images were suggestive of a sellar tumor with a cystic component.

A right pterional craniotomy was performed, and the tumor was debulked, revealing an abscess in the center. Postoperatively, the patient received a regimen of antibiotics.

Early surgical intervention plus follow-up antibiotic therapy are the mainstay of treatment for abscess formation in pituitary adenomas.