Intrasellar abscess after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

Abstract

Sellar abscess is extremely rare complication that could occur after a transphenoidal surgery (TSS). Here we report 45-year-old female patient with left cheek numbness for one month. The Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report suggested a pituitary adenoma. Therefore, transphenoidal surgery was performed. During follow up, the patient complained of headache for few days. Subsequent MRI revealed recurrent or residual pituitary tumor. We attempted to excise the lesion using a transfrontal approach. However, pus in the sellar region was found at operation, and no tumor tissue was identified. After the surgery, the patient received antibiotic therapy and fully recovered. Sellar abscess is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. However, a combination of surgical resection and specific antibiotic therapy seems to be very promising.

Keywords

• pituitary adenoma
• pituitary surgery
• Sellar abscess
• transphenoidal surgery