Lymphocytic hypophysitis presenting with diabetes insipidus in a 14-year-old girl: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare disorder predominantly affecting females during the antepartum or postpartum period. It is characterized by destruction and lymphocytic infiltration of the pituitary gland, probably by an autoimmune process, leading to a pituitary mass lesion and/or various degrees of hypopituitarism. The lesion is usually confined to the adenohypophysis. Posterior pituitary gland or stalk involvement is rare, although patients presenting with diabetes insipidus have been reported. We describe a girl aged 13 years 9 months with lymphocytic hypophysitis who presented with diabetes insipidus and secondary amenorrhea. MRI of the brain revealed a 1 cm enhancing mass in the pituitary stalk. A biopsy of the mass by right pterional craniotomy showed lymphocytic infiltration without neoplastic cells or granuloma formation. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported patient with a diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis. In this case report, her clinical presentation is discussed along with a review of the literature.

Conclusion We present the first childhood case of lymphocytic hypophysitis which is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland. Although this is a rare condition in adults, it also needs to be considered in the pediatric population. Conservative management is preferred unless there are signs of increased intracranial pressure. Most importantly, close monitoring for multiple hormone deficiencies is indicated in this condition.