Clinical relevance of precipitating factors in pituitary apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy

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.

CT and MR imaging findings of systemic complications occurring during pregnancy and puerperal period, adversely affected by natural changes

Dynamic physiological and anatomical changes for delivery may adversely induce various specific non-obstetric complications during pregnancy and puerperal period. These complications can be fatal to both the mother and the fetus, thus a precise and early diagnosis ensued by an early treatment is essential. Along with ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have assumed an increasing role in the diagnosis.

This article aims to discuss the pathophysiology of these complications, the indications for CT and MRI, and the imaging findings.

Pituitary incidentalomas

INTRODUCTION

Incidentally discovered pituitary adenomas are more and more commonly encountered in endocrinology and neurosurgical practices. Often they present as difficult problems in management strategies. This review summarizes the latest evidence and opinions in a variety of settings in which incidental pituitary tumors are discovered, including subclinical pituitary tumor apoplexy.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was accomplished using a spectrum of contemporary sources for information regarding pituitary incidentalomas.

RESULTS

Up to date findings regarding epidemiology, definition of pituitary incidentaloma, patient evaluation, diagnostic studies, and management are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Current experience from a multidisciplinary pituitary center is presented, with indications for treatment and longitudinal care of these challenging patients.

Presentation, management and outcomes in acute pituitary apoplexy: a large single-centre experience from the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE

To study the presentation, management and outcomes and to apply retrospectively the Pituitary Apoplexy Score (PAS) (United Kingdom (UK) guidelines for management of apoplexy) to a large, single-centre series of patients with acute pituitary apoplexy.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of casenotes at a single neurosurgical centre in Liverpool, UK.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients [mean age, 52·4 years; median duration of follow-up, 7 years] were identified; 45 of 55 (81%) had nonfunctioning adenomas, four acromegaly and six prolactinomas. Commonest presenting features were acute headache (87%), diplopia (47·2%) and visual field (VF) defects (36%). The most frequent ocular palsy involved the 3rd nerve (81%), followed by 6th nerve (34·6%) and multiple palsies (19%). Twenty-three patients were treated conservatively, and the rest had surgery either within 7 days of presentation or delayed elective surgery. Indications for surgery were deteriorating visual acuity and persistent field defects. Patients presenting with VF defects (n = 20) were more likely to undergo surgery (75%) than to be managed expectantly (25%). There was no difference in the rates of complete/near-complete resolution of VF deficits and cranial nerve palsies between those treated conservatively and those who underwent surgery. Endocrine outcomes were also similar. We were able to calculate the PAS for 46 patients: for the group treated with early surgery mean, PAS was 3·8 and for those managed conservatively or with delayed surgery was 1·8.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients without VF deficits or whose visual deficits are stable or improving can be managed expectantly without negative impact on outcomes. Clinical severity based on a PAS ≥ 4 appeared to influence management towards emergency surgical intervention.

Pituitary apoplexy with reversible cerebral vasoconstrictive syndrome after spinal anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section: an uncommon cause for postpartum headache

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition involving pituitary necrosis following either pituitary haemorrhage or infarction. Similarly, reversible cerebral vasoconstrictive syndrome is a cerebrovascular disorder characterised by diffuse, multifocal narrowing of cerebral arteries. Both may present with an acute, intense headache and associated neurological deficits. In postpartum women, these conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of post-dural puncture headache following regional anaesthesia, as serious morbidity may ensue if they are left untreated. We report the case of a patient who developed pituitary apoplexy during an emergency caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. It was further complicated by the development of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and stroke.

Pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence with a focus on intratumoral hemorrhage

Pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence are relatively rare. In the present study we investigated intratumoral hemorrhage in pituitary adenomas and examined cases of intratumoral hemorrhage using adult patients for comparison. From 1975 to 2012, 38 consecutive patients operated for pituitary adenoma and one patient treated with medication alone, were enrolled in this study. Their ages were less than 18 years old at the initial diagnosis (mean age 15.3 ± 2.9 years). The comparison group consisted of 209 consecutive adult patients (>18 years old). The incidence and characteristics of intratumoral hemorrhage in pituitary adenomas were evaluated, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (28 cases) and on operative findings. The incidence of pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence was 38/1,073 (3.5 %) patients operated. Functioning pituitary adenomas (82.1 %) were common and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (17.9 %) were rare. Although no significant difference in tumor size was found and Knosp grade did not differ between young (≤18 years old) and adult (>18 years old) patients, indications of intratumoral hemorrhage on MRI was common in young patients (42.9 %). Based on both MRI and operative findings, intratumoral hemorrhage was significantly more likely to occur in young patients, compared with adult patients.

Neurology of pregnancy

Pregnancy creates alterations in maternal physiology which predispose to unique neurologic disorders. Pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, certain types of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and thunderclap headache all appear to share a common origin from vascular endothelial dysfunction, with overlapping clinical presentations. Multiple sclerosis often improves during pregnancy. Compression mononeuropathies may occur in the extremities. Myasthenia gravis may affect second stage labor. Various inflammatory peripheral neuropathies, dystrophies, myopathies may occur during pregnancy. The safety of specific immune suppressants is reviewed. Epilepsy does not have a significant effect upon the course of pregnancy, albeit there is a modest increase in the need for cesarean section. Certain antiepileptic drugs may produce fetal malformations, most notably valproic acid. Brain tumors are rare during pregnancy, but may increase in size due to activation of hormonal receptors on tumor cells surfaces, water retention, and engorged blood vessels.

Cavernous sinus invasion might be a risk factor for apoplexy

The clinical features of pituitary hemorrhage vary from asymptomatic to catastrophic. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, symptoms, outcome and risk factors of clinical and subclinical pituitary apoplexy (PA) patients. In a retrospective analysis, charts of 547 pituitary adenoma patients from 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed. The patients were classified as clinical or subclinical PA. We compared the results with a control group without PA. Anterior pituitary hormones for endocrine dysfunction, histology, Ki-67 labeling index (LI), and p53 positivity of the tumor and pituitary imaging by magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. Thirty-two patients (5.8%) were diagnosed as clinical and 81 patients (14.8%) as subclinical PA. Among PA patients, 85 patients (75.2%) had a macroadenoma, 8 patients (7.1%) had a microadenoma. The most frequent symptoms at presentation in PA patients were visual loss and headache. The patients with macroadenoma had a significantly increased risk for PA (p < 0.05). Hormone inactive tumors were significantly associated with the development of clinical PA (p = 0.05). Dopamine agonist use was significantly higher in subclinical PA patients (p = 0.001). Sex, Ki-67 LI, p53 positivity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, somatostatin analogue and anticoagulant use did not predispose to PA whereas cavernous sinus invasion predisposed patients to PA (p < 0.01). The incidence of subclinical PA is higher than that of clinical PA. The development of PA is associated with macroadenomas. Clinically non-functioning tumors predispose to clinical PA. Cavernous sinus invasion of the tumor may be a sign of increased risk of bleeding.

The prevalence and natural history of pituitary hemorrhage in prolactinoma

CONTEXT

Incidental pituitary hemorrhage, without full pituitary apoplexy, is a recognized radiological finding, but little information exists on its clinical behavior, with most reports describing surgically treated macroprolactinoma or nonfunctioning adenoma.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to characterize the prevalence, natural history, and risk factors associated with pituitary hemorrhage in a large clinic prolactinoma population.

DESIGN

The design consisted of a retrospective analysis of a clinic population.

SETTING

The setting was a tertiary endocrine center in a large teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

We studied three hundred sixty-eight patients with prolactinoma. The presence of hemorrhage was documented on magnetic resonance imaging.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measures were the prevalence, risk factors, and natural history of pituitary hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Pituitary hemorrhage was found in 25 patients, giving an overall prevalence of 6.8%, and was significantly higher in macroprolactinoma (20.3%) compared to microprolactinoma (3.1%, P < .0001). Three patients had classical pituitary apoplexy. The majority of patients in the hemorrhage group had macroprolactinomas (16/25 [64%]) and were women (22/25 [88%]). The proportion of women with macroprolactinoma was higher in the hemorrhage group (14/16 macroprolactinomas [87.5%]) than in the nonhemorrhage group (36/63 macroprolactinomas [57.1%], P = .02). The majority of pituitary hemorrhages (92%) were treated conservatively with dopamine agonist therapy for hyperprolactinemia. Eighty-seven percent of patients had complete resolution of their hemorrhage within 26.6 ± 23.3 (mean ± SD) months. The presence of macroprolactinoma (odds ratio 9.00 [95%CI 3.79-23.88], P < .001) and being female (odds ratio 8.03 [95%confidence interval 1.22-52.95], P = .03) were independently associated with hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that incidental hemorrhage in prolactinoma is not uncommon. It is more likely to occur in macroprolactinoma, where 1 in 5 develop hemorrhage, and is particularly common in women with macroprolactinoma. The majority are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously.

Association of dengue hemorrhagic fever with multiple risk factors for pituitary apoplexy

OBJECTIVE

To describe pituitary apoplexy that developed during the course of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

METHODS

We describe the clinical findings, laboratory test results, imaging findings, and clinical course of the study patients.

RESULTS

Patient 1 was a 40-year-old man who developed clinical signs and symptoms of dengue, which was confirmed by serologic testing. He presented with thrombocytopenia and developed severe headache and vomiting. During hospitalization, acromegaly was suspected because of the characteristic disease phenotype. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. Subsequently, the biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly was confirmed, and the patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Histopathologic examination showed signs of recent bleeding. Patient 2 was a 38-year-old man with a macroprolactinoma, who had been treated with cabergoline for 10 weeks and had shown improvement on laboratory testing and imaging. The patient then presented with clinical symptoms of dengue (confirmed serologically) and thrombocytopenia. He developed bilateral hemianopsia, and magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement of the pituitary adenoma with signs of intratumoral bleeding. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery, and histopathologic examination documented a pituitary adenoma diffusely infiltrated by blood cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe dengue as a probable novel condition for pituitary apoplexy because it may be associated with multiple risk factors for pituitary infarction or bleeding. Physicians should suspect pituitary apoplexy in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever who develop a rapid onset of severe headache and vision defects, even in those without known pituitary adenomas.

Headache, pituitary lesion and panhypopituitarism in a pregnant woman: tumor, apoplexy or hypophysitis?

Pituitary dysfunction during pregnancy and its differential diagnosis and treatment can be challenging, as illustrated by the following case. A 22-year-old woman underwent a C-section at 32 weeks of gestation because of preterm labor. She had headache, vision disturbance, polyuria, polydipsia, hypernatremia, diabetes insipidus and a pituitary lesion with findings compatible with apoplexy. Hormonal testing revealed panhypopituitarism. The peripartum presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings, autoimmunity and global pituitary dysfunction led to the clinical diagnosis of autoimmune lymphocytic hypophysitis. The patient was begun on appropriate hormone replacement therapy. A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging 6 weeks later showed spontaneous regression of the abnormality and a normal-appearing pituitary gland. Thus, acute presentations of pituitary-based pathology during gestation can include previously unrecognized but enlarging tumors, apoplectic hemorrhage and necrosis, and the entity of lymphocytic hypophysitis. A careful evaluation of the clinical, biochemical and radiological characteristics is imperative for accurate diagnosis and proper management to ensure optimal obstetrical outcome.

Pituitary apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy is rare endocrine emergency which can occur due to infarction or haemorrhage of pituitary gland. This disorder most often involves a pituitary adenoma. Occasionally it may be the first manifestation of an underlying adenoma. There is conflicting data regarding which type of pituitary adenoma is prone for apoplexy. Some studies showed predominance of non-functional adenomas while some other studies showed a higher prevalence in functioning adenomas amongst which prolactinoma have the highest risk. Although pituitary apoplexy can occur without any precipitating factor in most cases, there are some well recognizable risk factors such as hypertension, medications, major surgeries, coagulopathies either primary or following medications or infection, head injury, radiation or dynamic testing of the pituitary. Patients usually present with headache, vomiting, altered sensorium, visual defect and/or endocrine dysfunction. Hemodynamic instability may be result from adrenocorticotrophic hormone deficiency. Imaging with either CT scan or MRI should be performed in suspected cases. Intravenous fluid and hydrocortisone should be administered after collection of sample for baseline hormonal evaluation. Earlier studies used to advocate urgent decompression of the lesion but more recent studies favor conservative approach for most cases with surgery reserved for those with deteriorating level of consciousness or increasing visual defect. The visual and endocrine outcomes are almost similar with either surgery or conservative management. Once the acute phase is over, patient should be re-evaluated for hormonal deficiencies.

UK guidelines for the management of pituitary apoplexy

Classical pituitary apoplexy is a medical emergency and rapid replacement with hydrocortisone maybe life saving. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of headache, vomiting, visual impairment and decreased consciousness caused by haemorrhage and/or infarction of the pituitary gland. It is associated with the sudden onset of headache accompanied or not by neurological symptoms involving the second, third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves. If diagnosed patients should be referred to a multidisciplinary team comprising, amongst others, a neurosurgeon and an endocrinologist. Apart from patients with worsening neurological symptoms in whom surgery is indicated, it is unclear currently for the majority of patients whether conservative or surgical management carries the best outcome. Post apoplexy, there needs to be careful monitoring for recurrence of tumour growth. It is suggested that further trials be carried out into the management of pituitary apoplexy to optimize treatment.

Headache attributable to disorders of the eye

Sensory innervation to the eye and periocular area arises from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Thus, ocular, orbital, and systemic disorders may produce head pain with ocular signs and symptoms. Whereas some of these entities have characteristic diagnostic features, others mimic primary headache disorders such as migraine and cluster headache. This article reviews common ocular and neuro-ophthalmic conditions that are accompanied by pain in or near the eye.

Perioperative visual loss in ocular and nonocular surgery

Incidence estimates for perioperative vision loss (POVL) after nonocular surgery range from 0.013% for all surgeries up to 0.2% following spine surgery. The most common neuro-ophthalmologic causes of POVL are the ischemic optic neuropathies (ION), either anterior (AION) or posterior (PION). We identified 111 case reports of AION following nonocular surgery in the literature, with most occurring after cardiac surgery, and 165 case reports of PION following nonocular surgery, with most occurring after spine surgery or radical neck dissection. There were an additional 526 cases of ION that did not specify if the diagnosis was AION or PION. We also identified 933 case reports of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), 33 cases of pituitary apoplexy, and 245 cases of cortical blindness following nonocular surgery. The incidence of POVL following ocular surgery appears to be much lower than that seen following nonocular surgery. We identified five cases in the literature of direct optic nerve trauma, 47 cases of AION, and five cases of PION following ocular surgery. The specific pathogenesis and risk factors underlying these neuro-ophthalmic complications remain unknown, and physicians should be alert to the potential for loss of vision in the postoperative period.

Clinical features and surgical outcome of clinical and subclinical pituitary apoplexy

The clinical features of pituitary hemorrhage vary from asymptomatic to catastrophic. Clinical symptomatic pituitary apoplexy is a well-described syndrome characterized by sudden headaches, visual impairment, hypopituitarism and, at times, impaired consciousness. Subclinical pituitary apoplexy is characterized by minimal atypical clinical manifestations and, as a result, may be misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations, surgical outcome and post-operative pituitary function in patients who had clinical or subclinical pituitary apoplexy. We retrospectively identified 65 patients (30 men, 35 women; age range 21-87 years, mean age 48.4 years) who underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Of these, 25 patients were diagnosed as having clinical apoplexy, while the remaining 40 patients were classified as having subclinical pituitary apoplexy. The follow-up period ranged from 21 to 73 months (mean 44 months). Vision improved in 14 of 22 patients with clinical apoplexy (64%) and in 26 of 28 patients with subclinical apoplexy (93%) (p=0.017); the total resection rate was 57% and 42%, respectively (p=0.285). After 2 years of follow-up, hormone replacement therapy was needed in only 26% and 36% of patients, respectively (p=0.149). Our findings suggest that the incidence of subclinical pituitary apoplexy is higher than that of clinical pituitary apoplexy. Both the tumor resection rate and mean age were higher in those with clinical pituitary apoplexy, while those who had subclinical pituitary apoplexy demonstrated better visual improvement. During long-term follow-up, the need for hormonal replacement decreased in both groups.

Hyponatremia associated coma due to pituitary apoplexy in early pregnancy: a case report

Pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy is rare. Its clinical features may range from unspecific complaints to panhypopituitarism resulting even in coma and death. Therefore, alertness to signs and symptoms of acute loss of pituitary function in pregnancy is mandatory. We report a woman in her 7th week of her first gestation presenting with sudden coma due to severe hyponatremia. Secondary adrenal insufficiency could be identified as the underlying cause. Panhypopituitarism including central diabetes insipidus and spontaneous abortion developed during the follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pituitary apoplexy without a pre-existing pituitary mass. The clinical course was notable for severe complications, including neurological deficits through cerebral ischemia, but eventual recovery could be achieved. We discuss the diagnostic difficulties in the evaluation of pituitary disease in pregnancy.

Remission of acromegaly after pituitary apoplexy: case report and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

To identify and present cases of acromegaly in which pituitary apoplexy resulted in remission of acromegaly, with normalization of insulinlike growth factor-I and growth hormone levels.

METHODS

We present a case history of a personal patient and review the related literature in PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE.

RESULTS

A 34-year-old man with classic acromegaly had spontaneous pituitary apoplexy, resulting in remission of his acromegaly and diabetes. Moreover, we identified 21 other similar cases in the literature and analyze the clinical presentations, possible apoplexy triggers, and hormonal sequelae. All these patients were "cured" of acromegaly, and 68% of them experienced other pituitary hormone insufficiencies after pituitary apoplexy, including 2 cases of panhypopituitarism.

CONCLUSION

Pituitary apoplexy can result in remission of acromegaly and in partial or complete anterior or posterior (or both) pituitary insufficiency. Thus, after suspected or confirmed pituitary apoplexy, pituitary hormone secretion must be reevaluated. This assessment may result in initiation of appropriate substitution therapy, a change in management of growth hormone overproduction, or both interventions.

[Apoplectic macroadenomas: the outcome of the residual pituitary gland]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the MRI aspects and the function of the residual pituitary gland (RPG) after surgical decompression of an apoplectic pituitary macroadenoma, and to attempt to answer the question of whether an intra-adenomatous apoplexy necessarily leads to hypophyseal apoplexy.

METHODS

Between 1992 and 2008, 150 pituitary macroadenomas were surgically treated via the trans-sphenoidal approach, 19 of which presented an apoplectic feature (13%). They were subdivided into three groups: pure hemorrhage, hemorrhagic infarction, and ischemic infarction. The imaging was studied after surgery to identify the RPG and establish a correlation with the endocrine status.

RESULTS

After surgery five of 19 patients had normal adenohypophyseal function (27%), eight (42%) had panhypopituitarism, and six (31%) complete or partial corticotropic hypopituitarism. The RPG was identified on MRI in 13 patients (69%), four of them (31%) with normal adenohypophyseal function. The RPG was clearly identified intraoperatively in nine patients (47%), four of whom (44%) had normal adenohypophyseal function. One patient presented preoperative diabetes insipidus, which disappeared immediately after surgery, and two other patients developed postoperative diabetes insipidus: in one patient it quickly declined and in the other one it persisted, requiring replacement. According to the radiological classification of Hardy and Vezina modified by the Mohr (Mohr et Hardy, 1982) grade, the patients were subdivided up as follows: one grade II-0, four grade II-A, 11 grade II-B, two grade C, and one grade IV-B+D.

CONCLUSION

The repercussions of adenomatous apoplexy on the RPG is significant: only 27% of the patients retained normal pituitary function. Furthermore, although the RPG was identified on the MRI in more than two-thirds of the cases, more than half had adenohypophyseal failure: therefore, the visualization of a RPG does not mean that its functions are preserved. The involvement of the neurohypophysis is much rarer: one patient of 19 (5%). The implications of the ischemic or compressive damage on the normal pituitary gland are discussed.

Pituitary apoplexy following endoscopic sinus surgery

Objective:

To highlight the possibility of pituitary apoplexy after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for elimination of sinonasal infection, an important preparatory step for safe trans-sphenoidal access to the pituitary fossa.

Case report:

A 67-year-old man with a known pituitary macroadenoma developed headache, diplopia and reduced vision after endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy and ethmoidectomy for rhinosinusitis with polyps. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pituitary haemorrhage. The patient underwent emergency endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of the tumour, with significant symptomatic improvement. Despite mild right eyelid ptosis and persistent diabetes insipidus, the patient resumed normal activities in a few weeks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pituitary apoplexy after a nasal operation.

Conclusion:

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening event in high risk patients with pituitary adenomas; it may occur spontaneously or after surgical procedures. Early, combined surgical intervention by rhinologists and neurosurgeons is recommended. The endoscopic trans-sphenoidal approach is a safe and effective technique for the acute management of pituitary apoplexy.