Secondary pituitary abscess following transsphenoidal surgery with recurrent meningitis

Rationale: The transsphenoidal surgical (TS) approach to sellar masses is the preferred surgical route in most cases. Secondary pituitary abscess (PA) following TS is an extremely rare but serious postoperative complication with potentially high disability and mortality. Patient concerns: We describe an uncommon case of secondary PA in a 42-year-old woman, who underwent uncomplicated transsphenoidal procedures without cerebrospinal fluid leak, to treat primary Rathke cleft cyst. Without obvious cause, the patient suffered recurrent meningitis with complaints of headache, hyperpyrexia, and chills from 1 month after the operation. Diagnosis: There were no significant imaging findings until a new rim-enhancement lesion was seen in the sellar region on magnetic resonance imaging during the 6th episode of meningitis 11 months after the initial surgery. A diagnosis of secondary PA was considered; Interventions: Therefore, she underwent a 2nd TS with pus evacuation and antibiotic treatment. Outcomes: She improved remarkably and had no recurrence of symptoms during the 9-month follow-up. Lessons: Our aim was to present this rare case and discuss the most likely etiologies and preventive measures for this condition. In patients with recurrent meningitis but dormant imaging manifestations after TS, the possibility of secondary PA should considered. Adequate surgical drainage with microbiology-guided antibiotic therapy is the 1st choice for treatment.