title: Aseptic meningitis after transsphenoidal management of Rathke's cleft cyst: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Aseptic meningitis after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for treatment of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) is a rare complication caused by the leakage of the cyst contents within the subarachnoid space. We present a case of aseptic meningitis occurring after TSS for a RCC. During surgery, the cyst wall was subtotally removed, and intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage was observed. The patient developed meningeal signs and symptoms on the first postoperative day. CSF examinations were highly suggestive of aseptic meningitis. Histological examination confirmed a granulomatous inflammatory reaction of the RCC wall. Preexisting inflammation, subtotal cyst wall resection, intraoperative erosion of the diaphragma sellae and placement of a lumbar drain may be risk factors for the development of aseptic meningitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Athens General Hospital G. Gennimatas, 154 Messogion Ave, 115 27, Athens, Greece. mkoutourousiou@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutourousiou
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seretis
mesh_terms: D020863:Central Nervous System Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*