Primary pituitary abscess: surgical management and endocrine assessment in three cases.

Three cases of pituitary abscess are described. All were women with varying degrees of anterior pituitary dysfunction, diabetes insipidus and headaches. None had visual disturbance. A history of prior head injury was obtained in both young women who developed secondary amenorrhoea and hyperprolactinaemia. All three had low density, thick rim intrasellar masses on computed tomography scanning. Certain aspects of the diagnosis and surgical management of this rare condition are discussed with particular emphasis on the importance of pre- and postoperative endocrine assessment and preoperative diagnosis and proper surgical management.