Craniopharyngioma presenting as a secondary pituitary abscess: A case report and review of literature

Pituitary abscesses are rare, accounting for <1% of sellar lesions, with secondary abscesses in craniopharyngiomas being exceptionally uncommon. We report a 42-year-old male presenting with progressive visual loss and headaches, whose imaging suggested a pituitary macroadenoma or craniopharyngioma. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery revealed purulent material within a calcified capsule, and histopathology confirmed craniopharyngioma. Post-operative recovery included visual improvement with persistent hypothyroidism. This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of pituitary abscesses within craniopharyngiomas and highlights the importance of surgical drainage, histopathological confirmation, and prolonged antibiotic therapy for optimal outcomes.