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Pituitary tuberculosis mimicking idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis

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Abstract

An unusual case of tubercular granulomatous hypophysitis is reported. A sellar mass diagnosed as pituitary adenoma in MRI, showed non-caseating granulomas, glandular destruction and fibrosis in histology. Stain for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were negative and the case was misdiagnosed as Idiopathic Granulomatous hypophysitis. The patient came back 2 weeks after trans-sphenoidal endoscopic resection with meningitis. CSF showed mixed pleocytosis. PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive. The case is reported to highlight the need to maintain a high degree of suspicion for tuberculosis in any form of granulomatous hypophysitis, with or without caseous necrosis, in regions endemic for tuberculosis to prevent subsequent complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India

    Nuzhat Husain & Pallavi Rao

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India

    Mazhar Husain

Authors
  1. Nuzhat Husain
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  2. Mazhar Husain
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  3. Pallavi Rao
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Correspondence to Nuzhat Husain.

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Husain, N., Husain, M. & Rao, P. Pituitary tuberculosis mimicking idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis. Pituitary 11, 313–315 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-007-0068-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-007-0068-0

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