Primary pituitary abscess followed by empty sella syndrome in an adolescent girl

Pituitary. 2010 Dec;13(4):385-9. doi: 10.1007/s11102-008-0150-2.

Abstract

Primary pituitary abscess is a rare pituitary pathology, particularly at a young age and is characterized by atypical clinical features making the diagnosis difficult. Correct diagnosis and therapy are mandatory due to the potentially lethal outcome of pituitary infection. We report the case of an adolescent girl presenting with headache, diabetes insipidus and central thyro-gonadic insufficiency with no history of infection, in whom the intra-operative diagnosis of primary pituitary abscess was made. Bacterial cultures indicated infection with Streptococcus spp. One year after neurosurgery and antibiotic therapy, recovery of diabetes insipidus and pituitary insufficiency was documented except for persistence of subnormal growth hormone secretion. Post-surgery, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging revealed an empty sella syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / complications*
  • Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Abscess / surgery
  • Adolescent
  • Empty Sella Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Empty Sella Syndrome / etiology
  • Empty Sella Syndrome / metabolism
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pituitary Diseases / complications*
  • Pituitary Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Diseases / drug therapy
  • Pituitary Diseases / microbiology
  • Pituitary Diseases / surgery

Substances

  • Growth Hormone