Fatal Case of Cerebral Aspergillosis : A Case Report and Literature Review

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis.A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling.The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.     

Successful treatment of sellar aspergillus abscess

A sellar aspergillus abscess is a rare fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS). A retrospective analysis of three patients with sellar aspergillus abscess was conducted from 2006 to 2008. Data were retrieved from patient records at our hospital. Clinical findings, pathological data and final outcomes were reviewed and analysed. All patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery with the operating microscope and histopathologic examination revealed aspergillosis in all cases. Postoperatively, all patients received medical treatment with voriconazole and caspofungin. During the 3-6-month follow-up period, the patients were symptom free with no recurrences. Therefore, sellar aspergillus abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a sellar mass. Early and correct diagnosis via surgery can improve the prognosis. A combination of surgical resection and antifungal therapy has a good outcome. The importance of early treatment for sellar aspergillus abscesses is emphasised.     

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。     

Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis simulating pituitary tumor in immunocompetent patient

Aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus is rare in immunocompetent patients. It may be mistaken for a sellar region tumor. A 65-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus-negative man presented with a 3-week history of cranial nerve III paresis and visual deterioration. The patient had a long-term history of tobacco snuff abuse. CT scans and MRI demonstrated a space-occupying lesion of the sellar and sphenoid sinus region. Presumptive diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma was made and the patient was operated on via a transnasal–transsphenoidal approach. After the sphenoid sinus was opened, a yellow-brownish gluey material with crumbly debris extruded and was aspirated. The dura was intact. Histopathology revealed numerous Aspergillus hyphae without tissue invasion. Postoperatively, the cranial nerve III paresis resolved in a few days and visual acuity improved. Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of sellar region processes, even in immunocompetent patients. Early diagnosis and transsphenoidal removal provides good results without the need for systemic antifungal therapy in non-invasive aspergillosis.     

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.     

鞍区黄色肉芽肿病例分析并文献复习

目的探讨鞍区黄色肉芽肿的诊断、治疗及预后。方法回顾性分析1例鞍区黄色肉芽肿病例的临床资料,病人术前头痛,右眼视力0.8,内分泌检查提示甲状腺功能低下,其他未见异常。显微镜下肿瘤全切。结合文献分析该病的临床表现、病理、影像学特点及治疗措施。结果病人术后头痛症状消失,视力好转,垂体功能低下无改善,并发尿崩症。3个月后复查未见肿瘤复发,但垂体功能低下及尿崩症仍未消失,需要长期激素替代治疗。结论鞍区黄色肉芽肿是一种罕见的颅内良性肿瘤,术前诊断困难,手术是首选治疗方式,复发少见,但常并发垂体功能低下。     

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。     

鞍区胆脂瘤的诊断及治疗

目的探讨鞍区胆脂瘤的诊断及显微手术全切除的入路和方法。方法总结19例经显微手术切除的鞍区胆脂瘤病人的临床资料。视力下降16例,头痛18例,癫4例,多饮、多尿14例,三叉神经痛4例。CT均为低密度病灶;10例行MRI检查,示鞍上池占位病变,T1W低信号,T2W高信号。5例经额下入路,14例经翼点入路切除。结果全切除16例,3例次全切除,内分泌、癫及三叉神经痛症状均消失,视力均有不同程度改善。结论鞍区胆脂瘤显微手术全切除效果理想,翼点入路是最佳入路。疒间疒间     

Abscess formation within invasive pituitary adenoma.

Pituitary abscess secondary to an adenoma is rare. To date, only 19 cases have been reported. This is the first report of a patient who presented with bilateral total ophthalmoplegia. A 59-year-old male patient presented with headache, nausea, vomiting, decreasing visual acuity, diplopia and bilateral ophthalmoplegia with ptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of a pituitary abscess with adenoma. Transphenoidal surgery was performed and, during debulking of the tumour, the abscess was seen and excised. After the operation, the patient received antibiotic therapy and his neurological condition improved. Pituitary abscess with adenoma is a serious condition that has a high mortality rate. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical intervention with antibiotic therapy are necessary.     

Cerebral Aspergillus abscess in immunocompetent patient

We report an unusual case of brain aspergillosis with multiple recurrent abscess in a 40 year-old immunocompetent woman, with good therapeutical outcome. The patient presented a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured pericallosal artery aneurysm and was submitted to a craniotomy for aneurysm surgery. Five months later, she developed multiple Aspergillus cerebral abscess. Two craniotomies and amphotericin B became necessary during treatment. Fourteen years later, she is asymptomatic. Treatment of brain aspergillosis abscess implied the combination of both surgical and drug therapy with amphotericin B.     

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。     

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。     

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis: a case report and review of literature

Apoplexy in sellar metastasis is very rare with only a few case reports in literature. A case of apoplexy in sellar metastasis from follicular thyroid carcinoma is reported and the literature is briefly reviewed. The patient presented with sudden onset headache and bi-lateral loss of vision following thyroidectomy in a case of follicular carcinoma thyroid with proven sellar metastasis. CT scan showed hyperdense blood in sellar mass suggestive of apoplexy in sellar metastasis. The patient underwent early trans-sphenoidal decompression. Apoplexy in sellar metastasis, although very rare, can be clinico-radiologically indistinguishable from pituitary apoplexy and should be especially considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with known primary neoplastic disease. In view of similar patho-physiological mechanism, sellar metastasis with apoplexy should be managed in a similar manner as pituitary apoplexy.     

A case of psittacosis meningitis complicated with uveitis

A 14-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital complaining of dull headache, high fever and decreased visual acuity of his left eye. Physical examination on admission revealed nuchal rigidity, positive Kernig's sign, slight hyperreflexia of deep tendon reflex, and decreased visual acuity of his left eye to 0.1. The chest was clear to percussion and auscultation, and no abnormal findings was observed on chest x-ray examination. On laboratory examination, leukocytosis (12,800/mm3) and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (83mm/hr) was observed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed pleocytosis (308/3, mono 286, poly 22) and slight elevation of protein without decrease of glucose content (52mg/dl). On ophthalmologic examination, characteristic anterior and posterior uveitis was found in both eyes, more on the left. Antibody titer to psittaci was significantly elevated in both serum and CSF in his clinical course, therefore, this case was diagnosed as psittacosis meningitis complicated with uveitis. Minocycline (200mg/day) was administered from the 30th hospital day. The effect of this drug was dramatic, and fever and dull headache rapidly disappeared. In addition, fundus oculi examination on the 85th hospital day, revealed no abnormality in his eyes, and his visual acuity returned to normal level (1.0). This case was considered to be extremely rare case of psittacosis, because in addition to meningitis, the patient complicated with uveitis without any respiratory signs and symptoms.     

A case of Aspergillus brain abscess presenting angular gyrus syndrome]

A 45-year-old man had been treated for chronic alcoholism and he had fever in September 2000. He was diagnosed as lung aspergillosis from chest X-ray findings, leukocytosis, elevated CRP, and beta-D-glucan. Administration of fluconazole was started and his lung lesion subsided. But, generalized clonic tonic convulsion developed and the brain abscess in the left parietal lobe was found by CT. Therefore we made the diagnosis of brain abscess followed by lung aspergillosis. He also showed angular gyrus syndrome. Its capsule was thick and localized in the left parietal lobe. The patient had the surgical resection in August, 2001. Aspergillus hyphae and infiltration of inflammatory cells were seen in the brain sample, therefore the diagnosis of aspergillosis brain abscess was established. Angular gyrus syndrome was ameliorated after the operation.     

Macroprolactinoma at 6 years of age: diagnostic difficulties]

Prolactinoma is rare in childhood and adolescence. The earliest known diagnosis was reported in a patient at 8 years of age. We report the case of a sellar tumor found in a 6 years old girl. After a long symptomatic period she was brought for treatment. At this time she had partial papillar atrophy, hyperprolactinemia, and diminished reserve of growth hormone and cortisol. Due to rapid visual deterioration, she was submitted to a frontotemporal craniotomy for suspected craniopharyngioma. The tumor tissue immunohistochemistry was positive for prolactin. It is concluded that prolactinoma must be considered in differential diagnosis of sellar tumors in childhood since it benefits from a less aggressive therapy.     

Chondromyxoid fibroma in the sella turcica region

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is an uncommon tumor that primarily develops in the long bones of young males. It is rarely seen in the skull and involvement of the skull base is rare. We report a patient with CMF arising in the region of the sella turcica. A literature review regarding the clinical and histological features of CMF, as well as recommended modalities of treatment, is presented. A 55-year-old male was admitted with polyuria and headache. A CT scan showed a well-defined expansive lesion with a sclerotic margin measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter in the sellar region. T1-weighted MRI revealed a well-circumscribed, lobulated and strongly enhancing lesion. On the T2-weighted MRI, the lesion showed high heterogeneous signal intensity. Using the trans sphenoidal approach, surgical exploration revealed a well-defined tumor underneath the optic chiasm. The piecemeal tumor removal was considered complete. We conclude that sellar region CMF can cause severe disabilities due to tumor compression. CMF should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of a solitary tumor mass in the sellar area. As much as possible, surgical resection of the tumor is the cornerstone of treatment. Although CMF are generally regarded as benign neoplasms, they may show an infiltrative pattern and may recur; particularly when they are in locations where complete surgical excision may be difficult or impossible.     

Invasive Crooke cell adenoma in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Crooke cell adenoma (CCA) is an aggressive corticotroph subtype of pituitary adenoma often with cyclically elevated blood adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which preoperative diagnosis is challenging especially in the context of a functionally silent invasive tumor and a history of high-stage malignancy such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we report the first case of invasive CCA in a patient with DLBCL. A 71 year-old previously healthy man was recently diagnosed with DLBCL that was treated with CHOP-R chemotherapy. Within one week of completing his first cycle of chemotherapy, he had a frontal headache that progressed to right-sided proptosis. Cranial MRI showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass with invasion into the sellar and suprasellar compartment, compression of the optic chiasm, as well as extension into the clivus, bilateral cavernous sinuses, and the prepontine cistern. He underwent a partial resection for the pituitary tumor debulking. Pathological examination revealed CCA with invasion into the adjacent tissue. The patient had no history of Cushing disease or syndrome, but his blood ACTH was found to be elevated on the operation day. Our present case and literature review suggest that comorbidity of CCA or ACTH-producing adenoma and B-cell lymphoma deserves awareness in our clinical practice, as these two diseases and/or their therapies may interact substantially. CAA should be considered in the major differential diagnosis for an invasive sellar tumor, even without blood ACTH elevation and/or with a history of malignant lymphoma.     

Optochiasmatic Cavernous Angioma with Rapid Progression after Biopsy Despite Radiation Therapy

We present a rare case of optochiasmatic cavernous angioma (CA) that progressed despite radiation therapy. A 31-year-old female patient presented with sudden loss of left visual acuity and right homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a suprasellar mass and findings compatible with a craniopharyngioma or an optic glioma with bleeding. An open biopsy was conducted using the transcranial approach, and histological examination revealed gliosis. During the one-year follow-up period, imaging suggested intratumoral bleeding and the mass continued to grow. We recommended re-operation, but the patient refused due to fear of surgery. Consequently, the patient received fractionated radiation therapy (3,000 cGy) to the parasellar area. Despite the radiotherapy, the mass continued to grow for the following 6 years. The final MRI before definitive treatment revealed a multilobulated, multistage hematoma with calcification in the parasellar area, extending into the third ventricle and midbrain. The patient ultimately underwent reoperation due to the growth of the tumor. The mass was completely removed with transcranial surgery, and the pathologic findings indicated a cavernous angioma (CA) without evidence of glioma. As shown in our case, patients may suffer intratumoral hemorrhage after biopsy and radiotherapy. This case places the value of biopsy and radiotherapy for a remnant lesion into question. It also shows that reaching the correct diagnosis is critical, and complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice.