Untreated Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma Causing Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea: A Case Report

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is common with traumatic brain injury or after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). In contrast, spontaneous rhinorrhea caused by pituitary adenoma (PA) without prior treatment is rather unusual. Moreover, cases of non-functioning PA (NFPA) who seek medical attention without visual or hormonal symptoms but with watery nasal discharge, mistaken for rhinitis, and misled to delayed diagnosis, are extremely rare. The authors presented a case of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea, confirmed by clinical, laboratory, and radiographic studies, caused by NFPA. Endoscopic TSS came across a typical PA, and subsequently, the sellar defect was successfully repaired. Pathological diagnosis of NFPA was established. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course and complete resolution of her presenting symptoms. A short review of prior case reports is also provided. Keywords: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, Pituitary adenoma, Non-functioning, Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery