Analysis of a Pituitary Abscess Misdiagnosed as Rathke Cleft Cyst
YAN Yi-min
HUANG Shu-yu
ZOU Yi
WU Min
ZHAO Tao
WU Xue-qun
CAI Shu-zhou
Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical features of pituitary abscess. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data for 1 case of pituitary abscess misdiagnosed as Rathke cleft cyst was made, and the literature was reviewed. Results The patient with fever, joint pain as the main clinical symptoms was initially diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthri-tis. Symptomatic treatment effect was poor. Pituitary MR examination for the reason of high prolactin level suggested a Rathke cleft cyst. The frontal craniotomy operation and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary abscess. Postop-erative fever, joint pain symptoms were obviously alleviated. One month later, the patient gradually showed hypothyroidism symptom, which was alleviated after replacement therapy. Conclusion Pituitary abscess incidence rate is low. Imaging of pi-tuitary abscess and Rathke cleft cyst are difficult differential diagnosis. Clinicians should combine the clinical manifestations and make early diagnosis. Early surgical approach is preferred and the misdiagnosis and mistreatment rates should be avoided and reduced.
Keywords：Pituitary abscessMisdiagnosisRheumatoid arthritisRathke cleft cyst
Publication Date：2015-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 23-25 )