Inflammatory pseudotumor of the pituitary: case report.

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the pituitary is a very rare nonneoplastic lesion. We describe a case of a patient with past history of lymphocytic meningitis.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year-old man presented with polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and panhypopituitarism. He had 2 episodes of lymphocytic meningitis in the last two years. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) disclosed a sellar and suprasellar mass with extension to the pituitary stalk. The patient underwent transnasal-transsphenoidal surgery to remove the lesion. Histopathological findings revealed mixed inflammatory cells composed mainly of lymphocytes, macrophages and extensive fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the pituitary, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of a sellar and suprasellar mass.