Secondary abscess formation in pituitary adenoma after tooth extraction. Case report

J Neurosurg. 2001 Feb;94(2):335-8. doi: 10.3171/jns.2001.94.2.0335.

Abstract

The presence of an abscess in a pituitary tumor is a very rare finding. The authors report the case of a 69-year-old man with a pituitary adenoma confirmed by neuroimaging results, in whom a high fever, meningismus, and left-sided ophthalmoplegia developed 4 days after tooth extraction. The results of serial cranial magnetic resonance imaging were highly indicative of an abscess formation within the pituitary adenoma. During surgery the tumor was approached transsphenoidally and removed. Histological examination confirmed the presence of an abscess formation within the pituitary adenoma. It is most likely that the tooth extraction caused a bacteremia, which led to an inflammation with abscess formation within the pituitary adenoma. The authors conclude that invasive dental procedures should be avoided before planned resection of a pituitary adenoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / surgery*
  • Aged
  • Brain Abscess / diagnosis
  • Brain Abscess / pathology
  • Brain Abscess / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypophysectomy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Tooth Extraction*