• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1098-1102
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• 2000

Pituitary abscess is a very rare disorder, since antibiotics therapy has become widely available. Clinically and radiologically, the preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess is difficult because of its features which may be identical to those of any space-occupying lesions of the sella turcica. A combination of clinical features, such as meningitis, paranasal sinusitis and panhypopituitarism with intrasellar cystic lesion with homogeneous ring enhancement on computed tomography or magnetic resonance image should raise the suspicion of a pituitary abscess. Drainage of the abscess through trans-sphenoidal approach, appropriate antibiotics therapy, endocrine assessment and hormonal replacement should bring complete recovery to the patient. The authors review the literature and report two cases of primary pituitary abscess.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.945-948
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• 2000

A sixty-three year old woman presented with sudden onset of dystonic twitching of the extremities and repeatedly downgrading of consciousness in the midnight. She had no history of medical illness in the past but had been suffered from fatigue recently before the onset of the attack. At admission she was neurologically free including neuro-ophthalmologic examination. MRI showed a high signal T1WI mass in the sella protruding into the suprasellar cistern. Hormonal study revealed low value of T3, T4, LH and FSH. Under the impression of pituitary apoplexy she underwent operation via transcranial route. When the protruding diaphragma sellae was opened, milkish pus spilled out. The thick capsule was biopsied and pus was sent for the study. The results of Gram staining and culture were both negative but pathologic report of the specimen was high infiltration of lymphocytes with few polymorphs.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2002

Neurologic sequelae of tuberculous meningitis include hemiparesis, paraparesis, quadriparesis, aphasia, developmental delay, dementia, blindness, visual field defect, deafness, cranial nerve palsies, epilepsy, and hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction. But cervical epidural abscess and cervical spondylitis are rare. A 64-year-old woman who was diagnosed as tuberculous meningitis presented a severe neck pain and stiffness after 3 weeks of anti-tuberculous medication. Electromyography and cervical X-ray showed a cervical spondylosis with polyradiculopathy. But cervical MRI showed an acute cervical epidural abscess and mild cervical spondylitis. After continuous anti-tuberculous medication with supportive care, she showed a slow clinical improvement. But about 1 month of anti-tuberculous therapy, she presented a more aggravation of neck pain, neck stiffness, radicular pain, and neck motion limitation. Follow-up cervical MRI showed an more advanced cervical spondylitis. Afterthen she has recovered slowly by cervical laminectomy with posterior stabilization and continuous anti-tuberculous medication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.929-934
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• 2000

Objective : The results of secondary transsphenoidal surgery(TSS) for either residual or recurring pituitary adenomas have been reported to be unfavorable. To evaluate the effectiveness of secondary TSS, we analyzed the surgical results of residual or recurred pituitary adenomas in patients who underwent secondary TSS from 1992 to 1998. Material and Methods : Among the 95 patients who underwent TSS during this period, 14(15%) received repeated TSS. Two of the 14 patients underwent three TSS. Among the 11 patients with pituitary adenomas, three had nonfunctioning tumors ; six prolachnomas ; two GH-secreting adenomas. The remaining three patieats had craniopharyngioma, pituitary abscess and hemangioendothelioma respectively. The interval between the two surgical procedures ranged from one week to 33 months(mean ; 12 months). Causes of the secondary TSS were tumor recurrence in 11 patients, intentional staged operation in three, persistent disease despite medical therapy and CSF leak after initial operation in one respectively. Treatments prior to secondary TSS were medical treatment only in eight patients. Results : During the repeated operationtss some adhesion was noted in septal mucous membrane. The sphenoid cavity was filled with fibrous tissue which correlated with the methods of reconstruction of the sellar floor at the previous operation. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate of surgery between the initial and the second TSS(86% vs 81%). The complication rate was similar between the two procedures. There was no statistically significant factors affecting the results of second TSS. Conclusion : Transsphenoidal reoperation was regarded as a suitable approach for treating recurrent pituitary adenomas in spite of some degree of operative difficulties. In patients with transsphenoidally resectable tumor residuals or recurrences confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, remissions can be obtained with high probability, especially in secondary surgery after an staged decompression.