MR imaging and CT of pituitary abscess: Case report and review

Abstract

Pituitary abscess is a rare disorder. However, preoperative diagnosis is important to prevent a cranial approach leading to severe meningitis. A case of a 55 year-old woman with pituitary abcess is reported. The patient was admitted with a several-week history of frontal headache and no signs of inflammation. Computed tomographic (CT) scan showed a slightly low-density suprasellar expanding mass lesion with an enhanced thin wall in the pituitary region. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a homogenous high- intensity signal relative to brain parenchyma on T1 -weighted images with an enhanced thin wall and a homogenous low-intensity signal on T2-weighted images. This was histologically shown to be a pituitary abscess. Our case and review of the available literature suggest that pituitary abscess generally shows a homogenous low-density on CT scan and a homogenous low- to iso- and high-intensity signals or homogenous high- and low-intensity signals on T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively, with a cystic appearance and enhanced smooth wall. [Neurol Res 1996; 18: 495-498]     

垂体脓肿的诊断与治疗（附9例临床分析）

目的探讨垂体脓肿的临床特点和治疗方法。方法回顾性分析9例垂体脓肿患者的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗,并结合文献进行分析。结果9例患者中有8例经鼻蝶入路手术,1例行大脑开颅手术。视功能改善77.8%（7/9）,头痛缓解83.3%（5/6）,垂体功能低下改善25%（1/4）,尿崩症缓解33.3%（1/3）。结论垂体脓肿的发生有增多趋势;当患者头痛、视力视野障碍、垂体功能低下,尤其有尿崩的出现,结合影像学检查,鞍区磁共振及增强示类圆形囊状占位性病变,等或长T1,长T2,囊壁呈环形强化（＂鸭梨＂征）等,应考虑垂体脓肿的诊断。诊断一旦确定,应尽早行手术治疗,入路以经蝶为首选;术后予抗感染、补充激素及对症等治疗。     

垂体脓肿的临床特征和经蝶窦手术治疗

目的 分析垂体脓肿的临床特征和经蝶窦手术治疗。方法 12例垂体脓肿的术前症状依次为尿崩症、头痛、垂体功能低下和视功能障碍。MRI显示垂体类圆形肿物。均经蝶窦入路显微外科手术清除脓肿，反复冲洗和放置引流。结果 随诊1～10年。头痛缓解为71％(5／7)，视功能改善80％(4／5)，尿崩症缓解63％(5／8)，垂体功能低下改善50％(3／6)。结论 当MRI显示垂体肿物的病人出现严重的尿崩症和垂体功能低下时，应考虑到垂体脓肿。怀疑为垂体脓肿者应及时经蝶窦术清除脓肿和引流。     

垂体脓肿(附五例报告及文献复习)

目的 探讨垂体脓肿的临床特点、早期诊断和治疗选择。方法 5例垂体脓肿均行手术治疗，3例经额下入路，2例经蝶入路。本文逐一分析了对5例垂体脓肿的诊疗经验。结果 男性3例，女性2例，年龄在12～56岁，主要症状为感染史，头痛，视力减退，多饮多尿和垂体功能低下等。神经影像学表现为：强化的T1加权像可见鞍内／鞍上低密度肿物，周围有强化环。5例患者术后均恢复良好，随诊未见复发。结论 垂体脓肿早期明确诊断后，最佳选择为经蝶手术治疗。     

垂体脓肿的诊断和治疗

目的 为提高对垂体脓肿的诊治水平。方法 报道9例垂体脓肿,结合文献对其临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗进行分析讨论。结果 9例中2例术前诊断为垂体脓肿,7例诊断为其它鞍区病变。5例经鼻蝶手术,4例经额下或翼点入路手术。术后均给予抗菌素治疗。术后视神经功能障碍恢复不理想,其它症状均改善,无脓肿复发。结论 早期诊断、及时手术清除脓肿和术后应用抗菌素是治疗垂体脓肿的关键。     

垂体脓肿的诊断、治疗和长期随访

目的垂体脓肿是一种少见的鞍区感染性疾病,其临床表现没有特异性,术前诊断比较困难。为了更好地发现其临床特点以助于临床诊断,为了评估垂体脓肿手术治疗的疗效及其长期转归,我们分析总结了我院手术治疗的垂体脓肿病例资料。方法回顾性分析总结北京协和医院1991年～2007年17年间手术证实和治疗的30例垂体脓肿病例,对所有病例的详细病史资料、术前术后的影像学资料和内分泌检查结果及长期随访资料均进行了仔细分析和总结。结果垂体脓肿患者往往因为垂体占位性病变的相关症状而就诊,很少表现为感染相关的症状。中枢性尿崩、垂体功能低下、头痛是最常见的临床症状;MRI表现多样,但多数具有脓肿的典型表现即鞍区囊性占位,静脉注射对比剂后可见病灶边缘环形强化;尽管术后复发并不少见,大多数垂体脓肿通过手术引流可以治愈,但垂体功能低下往往很难恢复,需要长期激素替代治疗。结论临床上表现为尿崩、垂体功能低下伴有环形强化的鞍区占位往往提示垂体脓肿的诊断;治疗上首选经蝶脓肿引流手术,尽管伴有一定的复发率,手术往往可以治愈脓肿,但垂体功能低下往往不能恢复,需要重视长期替代治疗。     

垂体脓肿的经鼻蝶显微手术治疗(附18例报告)

目的探讨垂体脓肿的诊断和治疗。方法分析18例垂体脓肿的诊疗情况，结合文献加以讨论。结果18例患者中，术前诊断为垂体脓肿4例，垂体腺瘤9例，颅咽管瘤5例，均经鼻蝶手术治疗，效果满意。术后随访3-120个月，全部病例术后无发热及脑膜炎等并发症，无垂体脓肿复发。结论垂体脓肿极易误诊，早期诊断、经鼻蝶手术和术后使用抗生素可治愈。     

垂体腺瘤术后垂体脓肿的诊治

目的探讨经蝶垂体腺瘤术后垂体脓肿的临床特征和诊治。方法回顾性分析2例经蝶垂体腺瘤术后垂体脓肿病人的临床资料,1例因脓液溃破入颅内,急诊行开颅手术清除脓液;1例行抗生素保守治疗。结果2例病人治疗后均恢复良好,未遗留明显神经功能障碍。术后随访6-9个月,均未发现脓肿复发。结论及早诊断和治疗是挽救垂体脓肿病人生命的保障。一经诊断,应及时经蝶开窗引流;发生脓液破入颅内,应立即开颅手术。     

垂体脓肿的诊断和经蝶窦显微手术治疗

目的：探讨垂体脓肿的诊断和经蝶窦显微手术治疗。方法：经蝶窦显微手术证实为垂体脓肿７例，３例术前诊断为垂体脓肿，４例诊断为其它鞍区病变。男性５例，女性２例，平均年龄３８．８岁，平均病程２．３年。临床症状尿崩症５例，垂体功能低下４例，头痛３例，视力视野障碍２例，动眼神经麻痹１例。手术中彻底清除脓肿，放置碘仿纱条引流。结果：随诊３个月～６年，影像学检查脓肿征象均消失。３例头痛、２例视神经功能障碍术后缓解；３例尿崩症、２例垂体功能低下改善，１例术后２年复发。结论：若鞍区病变不大，但引起较严重的蝶鞍骨质破坏，表现为尿崩症和垂体功能低下时，应首先考虑垂体脓肿。及时手术探查，彻底清除脓肿和术后使用抗生素是治疗垂体脓肿的关键     

A case of primary abscess of the pituitary gland]

This report details the management of a patient with a primary pituitary abscess with secondary amenorrhea, mimicking pituitary adenoma. The preoperative diagnosis of intra- and suprasellar pituitary abscess was established by X-ray examination of the skull, CT-scans and anamnesis. After transsphenoidal removal of the abscess with accompanying antibiotic therapy the patient had a progressive and nearly complete recovery with normalization of menstruation.     

垂体脓肿的诊断和治疗(14例报告和文献复习)

目的:探讨垂体脓肿的临床特征和治疗。方法:回顾性分析14例垂体脓肿患者的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗,并结合文献进行分析。结果:14例患者中头痛13例,垂体功能低下6例,视力视野影响6例,多饮多尿3例,发热3例。MRI增强病灶均呈环状强化。11例经蝶手术治疗,3例经开颅手术。术后随访头痛缓解者10例,视力、视野改善者4例,尿崩者2例恢复正常,垂体功能低下者中4例恢复正常,3例开颅手术者中2例复发,再经蝶手术治愈。结论:应用常规CT和MR术前诊断垂体脓肿困难,对鞍区囊性病变应考虑到垂体脓肿的可能。及早手术、正确选择手术入路、围手术期合理应用抗生素和适当的对症治疗是治疗垂体脓肿的关键。     

垂体脓肿的诊断和经蝶显微手术治疗

目的探讨垂体脓肿的诊断及治疗方法。方法回顾性分析我院15例垂体脓肿患者的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗。结果15例患者中术前主要表现为头痛8例,视力下降或颞侧偏盲6例,垂体前叶功能低下7例,尿崩4例,发热1例。MRI增强示病灶均呈环形强化。15例患者均采用经鼻蝶手术入路清除脓肿。术后1W,8例头痛患者症状均消失,6例视力下降患者中4例改善;术后随访至第3个月,4例尿崩患者有2例恢复正常,7例垂体功能减退患者中4例好转,另3例患者继续予以药物替代治疗;术后6个月,另2例仍多饮多尿患者和3例垂体功能仍低下者均恢复正常。15例患者均无复发。结论垂体脓肿术前诊断较困难,对鞍区囊性病变应考虑到垂体脓肿的可能性。及早采用微创手术、合理应用抗生素及恰当的对症治疗是治疗垂体脓肿的关键。     

MRI and CT in a case of pituitary abscess.

We report the case of a woman admitted for hypopituitarism of sudden onset, in whom conventional radiography, CT and MRT suggested a pituitary tumour with supra- and intrasellar extensions. The surgical findings and the clinical course under antibiotic therapy transformed this diagnosis into one of pituitary abscess by a pyogenic micro-organism. Pituitary abscess is an exceptional lesion. Despite the advent of CT and MRI, its preoperative diagnosis remains difficult. However, the presence of an intrasellar expansive process with liquid centre and contrast-enhanced outline should suggest the possibility of an abscess, particularly when the pituitary lesion is associated with a sphenoidal sinus effusion.     

Pituitary abscess in a patient with painless thyroiditis.

The preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess is difficult. The case of a 56-year-old man with a pituitary abscess and painless thyroiditis is presented. There has been no previous such report. The differential diagnosis includes pituitary abscess, lymphocytic adenohypophysitis or infundibuloneurohypophysitis, share clinical symptoms of panhypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus, and is of critical importance as the treatment of these conditions differ. The association with painless thyroiditis suggests a diagnosis of lymphocytic adenohypophysitis or infundibuloneurohypophysitis. However, the coincidence of pituitary abscess and painless thyroiditis was observed in our patient, and thus though rare, should be considered. Surgical exploration and histopathological examination are essential for the differential diagnosis of these diseases.     

垂体脓肿的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨垂体脓肿的临床特点、诊断和治疗.方法 回顾性分析15例垂体脓肿患者的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗.结果 15例垂体脓肿术前误诊13例,9例经鼻蝶窦入路,2例经额下入路后改为经鼻蝶窦入路,4例行额下入路.15例患者术后均恢复良好,随诊未见复发.结论 早期出现视力和视野改变、尿崩和环形强化的鞍区囊性病灶应首先怀疑垂体脓肿,早诊断,合理应用抗生素,正确选择手术入路,及时手术治疗是改善预后的关键.     

Pituitary abscess in a pregnant woman.

Pituitary abscess is a rare and potentially lethal condition. Pituitary abscess in a pregnant woman has not been previously described. A 38-year-old pregnant woman (34 weeks gestation) with a pituitary mass complained of a progressive headache and sudden visual impairment. She was afebrile and had no inflammatory symptoms on admission. On MRI, the preoperative diagnosis was pituitary adenoma with sphenoid sinusitis. She underwent an uncomplicated transsphenoidal procedure for removal of the pituitary mass. The next day, labor commenced and a healthy preterm baby was delivered. Pathologic examination of the intrasellar mass showed polymorphonuclear cells, debris and no tumor cells. The sellar contents were cultured and Streptococcus viridans was grown. To our knowledge this is the first case of pituitary abscess reported during pregnancy. Although the patient was pregnant, the transsphenoidal approach was safe for the mother and the fetus. Surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy are required for the definitive treatment of this condition.     

垂体脓肿8例临床分析

目的探讨垂体脓肿的临床特征和治疗.方法回顾性分析8例垂体脓肿患者的临床表现、影像学特征、诊断和治疗,并结合文献进行分析.结果8例患者中仅1例有明显颅内感染征象,视力视野障碍者5例,尿崩者4例,垂体功能低下者4例,影像学常无特征性改变.4例经开颅手术,4例经蝶手术治疗.术后随访5例患者中4例脓肿无复发,视力视野改善者2例,尿崩者2例恢复正常,垂体功能低下者随访2例患者中1例恢复正常,1例经翼点入路手术者脓肿复发.结论垂体脓肿术前诊断困难,对鞍区囊性病变应考虑到垂体脓肿的可能,及早手术、正确地选择手术入路、合理应用抗生素和适当的对症治疗是治疗垂体脓肿的关键.     

Presumed pituitary abscess without infectious source treated successfully with antibiotics alone.

A 12-year-old girl developed acute frontal headache and severe visual loss in both eyes. A presumptive diagnosis of pituitary abscess was made on the basis of suggestive magnetic resonance imaging findings. These consisted of a large non-enhancing area within the pituitary gland and thin irregular glandular rim enhancement. There was no evidence of pre-existing intracranial or systemic infection. The patient recovered completely after treatment with intravenous and oral antibiotics without surgical drainage. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for pituitary abscess based on unusual imaging findings even when there is no source of infection.     

Pituitary abscess

A 28-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a 12 month history of secondary amenorrhoea, polyuria and polydipsia with fatigue and weight loss. Investigations revealed panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, an intrasellar mass and papilloedema, thought to be due to benign intracranial hypertension. She was treated conservatively. However, a repeat magnetic resonance image showed enlargement of the pituitary mass with compression of the optic nerves. The pituitary abscess was drained by a transsphenoidal approach. Postoperatively the patient received antibiotics with no recurrence of the pituitary abscess.     

Diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery for the pituitary abscess: a review of twenty nine cases

Objective

This study aimed to better determine the salient signs and symptoms for diagnosis of a pituitary abscess as well as the determination of the most appropriate treatment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed using clinical presentations, imaging features, diagnosis and treatment of 29 patients with pituitary abscess in our hospital.

Results

We made the correct diagnosis of pituitary abscess before surgery only in 2 cases (13.3%) out of 15 patients between January 2004 and January 2008. While 12 cases (85.7%) out of 14 patients were correctly diagnosed before surgery between January 2008 and June 2010. All of the patients underwent transnasal–transsphenoidal surgery assisted by the microscope or endoscope. The antibiotic therapy and hormonal replacement were routinely administrated. The postoperative courses were uneventful and all symptoms of the patients were gradually improved one week to six months after surgery. None of the 29 cases were recurrent during the follow-up.

Conclusion

With the increased clinical experience, the correct diagnosis rate of pituitary abscess before surgery has been greatly improved in recent three years. The microsurgical drainage, proper antibiotics and hormonal replacement are the keys to the treatment of pituitary abscess.