Pituitary abscess during pregnancy: Management dilemmas

Abstract

Pituitary abscess is a rare disorder and only one case of pituitary abscess in pregnancy has been reported in the literature. Since, its presenting manifestations are non-specific; the diagnosis is usually made per-operatively. A 35-year-old pregnant lady, with a sellar mass was managed successfully with trans-sphenoidal drainage of the abscess and antibiotic therapy. We discuss the unique set of problems faced in diagnosis and management. Choice of antibiotics, management of intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak and absence of any growth on cultures made the overall management challenging. Although, it can present with a dramatic course suggestive of central nervous system infection or a pituitary mass, but more often it mimics an indolent lesion, which can pose as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.