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Pituitary apoplexy

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Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical syndrome of sudden headache and visual decline associated with acute hemorrhagic or ischemic change of an intrasellar mass, and comprises only a subset of hemorrhagic pituitary lesions. The most common presenting symptoms include headache, nausea, diminished visual acuity or visual field, ophthalmoplegia/paresis, and impaired mental status. Multiple risk factors have been reported, although the majority of cases have no identifiable precipitants. MRI is the most sensitive diagnostic modality, with specific imaging findings dependent on the timing post-hemorrhage. Early clinical suspicion is imperative to allow for corticosteroid replacement and hemodynamic stabilization when indicated. Transsphenoidal surgical decompression improves outcome in a majority of cases, although conservative management may be appropriate in select scenarios.

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  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Francis Street, PBB-3, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Wenya Linda Bi, Ian F. Dunn & Edward R. Laws Jr.

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Bi, W.L., Dunn, I.F. & Laws, E.R. Pituitary apoplexy. Endocrine 48, 69–75 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0359-y

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