Craniopharyngioma and abscess: When tumor and infection co-exist

Abstract

Pituitary abscesses are rare entities that may occur in a previously healthy gland or in the setting of a pituitary tumor. Only eleven cases of abscesses associated with craniopharyngioma have been reported in the literature. The etiology is unknown and the diagnosis is difficult because there are no specific clinical or radiologic features that allow us to suspect the synchrony of both entities before surgery. Intraoperative findings and culture are the only definitive signs to confirm this association.

Here we present the first surgical video showing this unique association and highlighting the technical pearls of the procedure. In a 9-year-old boy, we performed a transphenoidal approach to resect the tumor and saw pus during surgery. Pathology revealed a papillary craniopharyngioma, with microbiology showing Staphylococcus aureus. The tumor resection resulted in ophthalmologic improvement but pituitary insufficiency. A brief review of the literature is presented.