[Clinical onset of meningitis in chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary: 2 cases].

Two cases of purulent meningitis in subjects with misinterpreted chromophobe adenoma of the hypophysis are presented. Radiography in the acute stage revealed typical enlargement of the sella turcica and thus established the diagnosis, which was eventually confirmed histologically during surgery. The frequency with which this complication has occurred in a personal series is contrasted with its rarity in the literature, particularly neurosurgical works. It is felt, therefore, that the association of adenoma and meningitis is more common than is generally supposed. Routine cranial radiography is recommended in all cases of purulent meningitis, especially in young subjects and adults, from the outset. This will reveal hypophyseal involvement and enable replacement hormonal therapy with cortisone to be added to symptomatic and antibiotic management in cases of concomitant hypophyseal and adrenal insufficiency.