Infection of a Rathke cleft cyst: a rare cause of pituitary abscess.

Background: Only 20 cases of abscess formation within a Rathke cleft cyst have been reported.

Methods: Case report and review of the English-language literature.

Results: A 64-year-old female was admitted with a 12-mo history of headache and decreased visual acuity and had bilateral papilledema and bitemporal hemianopsia with impairment of visual acuity. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar and suprasellar mass measuring 2×2×2 cm. The lesion was removed using a transsphenoidal approach. The abscess was drained, and gram stain revealed polymorphonuclear cells and gram-positive cocci. The postoperative course was uneventful. Ceftriaxone and metronidazole were continued for 6 wks. The patient also received hydrocortisone and continued thyroid hormone replacement. During a 6-mo follow up, the patient's headaches disappeared, and the bitemporal hemianopsia and impaired visual acuity abated.

Conclusion: Predisposing factors for pituitary abscesses in primary lesions include immunosuppression and pituitary irradiation, surgery, or infarction. Approximately one-third of pituitary abscesses arise within other lesions. The clinical manifestations are non-specific. Magnetic resonance imaging shows a cystic lesion with central low intensity and rim enhancement after administration of contrast. When a pituitary abscess is diagnosed, surgical procedures should be performed promptly via a transsphenoidal (preferably) or transcranial approach.