A case series of atypical features of patients with biopsy-proven isolated IgG4-related hypophysitis and normal serum IgG4 levels

Case Report: IgG4-Related Disease Presenting With Isolated Hypophysitis

Background/Objective

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition that affects multiple organs, including the pituitary gland. Here we present a patient with isolated pituitary involvement of IgG4-RD mimicking pituitary apoplexy.

Case Report

A 49-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Her blood pressure was low, and she appeared euvolemic with the rest of physical examination being noncontributory. Her electrolytes showed low serum sodium of 118 mmol/L (normal 135-145). Further investigations were significant for low morning cortisol of 20 nmol/L (N:100-500) and low adrenocorticotropic hormone. Magnetic resonant imaging of the pituitary fossa showed a pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhagic transformation. She was started on glucocorticoids and levothyroxine before undergoing surgical removal of the pituitary tumor. The pathology was positive for IgG-4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) with no evidence of pituitary tumor.

Discussion

IgG4-RD is an immune-mediated condition that can affect many organs including the pituitary gland, in the form of hypophysitis. IgG4-RH can affect anterior, posterior, or both pituitary lobes. In 2011, Leporati et al developed a diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RH which includes the following: imaging, serology, histopathology, and response t glucocorticoids. The mainstay of treatment is glucocorticoids and hormone replacement therapy.

Conclusion

IgG4-RH might be underestimated and should be suspected in those with hypophysitis or unknown cause of hypopituitarism. Moreover, pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhagic transformation and panhypopituitarism should be considered as rare and unusual presentations of IgG4-RD.

[Differential diagnosis and tactics of managing a patient with primary hypophysitis on the example of a clinical case]

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of autoimmune endocrinopathies, which are known to affect various levels of the endocrine system, including the pituitary gland. Hypophysitis is a general term used to describe any form of sellar and suprasellar inflammation that leads to structural changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary region and manifests itself in varying degrees of hormonal deficiency of the anterior and posterior pituitary glands. To date, there is a primary form of hypophysitis, which occurs as a result of an autoimmune lesion directly to the pituitary gland, and a secondary form of hypophysitis, which occurs as a result of the presence of a systemic autoimmune disease. Regardless of the etiology, patients with hypophysitis show various signs and symptoms caused by an inflammatory process in the pituitary gland, which can lead to the development of hypopituitarism, compression of the sellar and parasellar structures. MRI is currently the best non-invasive diagnostic tool for diagnosing hypopituitarism, however, the diagnosis can be made with certainty only by histological examination of the pituitary tissue, which requires an invasive approach, which greatly reduces the feasibility of this procedure. In this article, we present a patient with MRI showing signs of hypophysitis in the absence of clear clinical symptoms.

Systematic Review of Treatment Options and Therapeutic Responses for Lesions of the Sella and Orbit: Evidence-Based Recommendations

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory pathologies of the sella and orbit are rare but require prompt diagnosis to initiate effective treatment. Because uniform recommendations for treatment are currently lacking, we performed an evidence-based review to identify recommendations.

METHODS

We performed a literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify papers evaluating treatment of inflammatory pathologies of the sella and orbit. We used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to define recommendations, specifically examining aggregated sample sizes, disease-specific patient follow-up, and clinical trials focused on inflammatory diseases of the sella and orbit.

RESULTS

A total of 169 studies were included and organized by disease pathology. Treatments for various pathologies were recorded. Treatment options included surgery, radiation, steroids, targeted treatments, immunomodulators, intravenous immune globulin, and plasmapheresis. Steroids were the most often employed treatment, second-line management options and timing varied. Pathological diagnosis was highly associated with treatment used. Most evidence were level 3 without available control groups, except for 13 trials in neuromyelitis optica with level 1 or 2 evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first evidence-based review to provide recommendations on specific treatments for pathologies of the orbit and sella. The reported data may be useful to help guide randomized clinical trials and provide resource for clinical management decisions based on the available evidence.

IgG4-related hypophysitis: A monocentric experience from North India

Background

Immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease is a systemic fibroinflammatory disease characterized by dense infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the affected tissue(s) with or without elevated plasma levels of IgG4. Hypophysitis itself is a very rare disease with reported prevalence in the operative specimens are around 0.2-0.88%. IgG4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) may account for a substantial percentage of cases previously regarded as idiopathic hypophysitis.

Methods

This study is a registry-based, retrospective, and cohort study from a tertiary care hospital in North India. The medical records and clinical data of biopsy-proven and suspected IgG4-RH patients registered were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment outcome of cases was also explored during this analysis.

Results

Two thousand and six sellar area space-occupying lesions have been operated-on since 2006, among them only four patients had IgG4-RH on histopathological specimen. One case was diagnosed on clinical suspicion. Mean age of the patients was 31.8 ± 6.32 years. Most frequent presenting complaint was headaches. Extracranial manifestations were present in four patients. The most common pituitary dysfunction was cortisol deficiency. 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F FDG PET) was helpful in three cases for diagnosis of hypophysitis and other organ involvement. Classical histological findings with storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis seen in two cases, and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration were positive in four cases. Surgery was the primary modality of treatment in all four cases. Only one patient received steroids as a primary therapeutic modality.

Conclusion

IgG4-RH is rare. High index of suspicion is required to diagnosis the case precisely. FDG PET is helpful in diagnosing hypophysitis and extrapituitary lesions.

Routine Screening for Central and Primary Adrenal Insufficiency during Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: An Endocrinology Perspective for Oncologists

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis disruption can lead to hypocortisolism. This is a life-threatening but difficult to diagnose condition, due to its non-specific symptoms that overlap with symptoms of malignancy. Currently, there is no consensus on how to best screen asymptomatic patients on ICI therapy for hypophysitis with serum cortisol. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients treated with ICI in a tertiary care centre was conducted to assess the rate of screening with cortisol and whether this had an impact on diagnosis of ICI-hypophysitis in the preclinical stage. Patients were identified as having hypophysitis with an adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) deficiency based on chart review of patients with cortisol values ≤ 140 nmol/L (≤5 mcg/dL). We also assessed what proportion of cortisol values were drawn at the correct time for interpretation (between 6 AM and 10 AM). Results: Two hundred and sixty-five patients had 1301 cortisol levels drawn, only 40% of which were drawn correctly (between 6 and 10 AM). Twenty-two cases of hypophysitis manifesting with ACTH deficiency were identified. Eight of these patients were being screened with cortisol following treatment and were detected in the outpatient setting. The remaining 14 patients were not screened and were diagnosed when symptomatic, after an emergency room visit or hospital admission. Sixty percent of the cortisol tests were uninterpretable as they were not drawn within the appropriate time window. Conclusion: Measuring morning serum cortisol in asymptomatic patients on ICI therapy is a fast and inexpensive way to screen for hypophysitis and should become the standard of care. Random serum cortisol measurement has no clinical value. Education needs to be provided on when to correctly perform the test and how to interpret it and we provide an algorithm for this purpose. The adoption and validation of such an algorithm as part of routine practice could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in patients, especially as ICI therapy is becoming increasingly commonplace.

IgG4-related hypophysitis: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose

IgG4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the pituitary gland. This study reports the presentation, management and outcomes for patients with histologically proven IgG4-related hypophysitis.

Methods

A prospectively maintained electronic database was searched over a 14-year period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2020 at a single academic centre to identify all patients with a histological diagnosis of IgG4-RH. A retrospective case note review from electronic health records was conducted for each case to extract data on their presentation, management and outcomes.

Results

A total of 8 patients (5 male) with a median age of 51 years were identified. The most common presenting symptoms were headache (4/8; 50%), fatigue (3/8; 37.5%) and visual impairment (2/8; 25%). Three patients were initially treated with high-dose steroids aiming for reduction of the pituitary mass. However, ultimately all patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Post-operative changes included radiological reduction in pituitary mass in all patients that had imaging (7/7; 100%), improvement in vision (1/2; 50%), residual thick pituitary stalk (5/7; 71.4%), persistent anterior hypopituitarism (4/8; 50%) and panhypopopituitarism including diabetes insipidus (3/8; 37.5%).

Conclusions

IgG4-RH is an increasingly recognised entity presenting with a variety of symptoms and signs. Clinical presentation is similar to other forms of hypophysitis. It is therefore important to consider IgG4-RH as a differential and to have a low threshold for pituitary biopsy, the diagnostic gold standard. The diagnosis of IgG4-RH will guide decisions for additional workup for IgG4-related disease, multi-disciplinary team involvement and follow-up.

Immunoglobulin G4 hypophysitis in a 63-year-old woman with no autoimmune history: a case report

Background

Immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disease that can present as a tumefactive pituitary lesion mimicking hypophyseal neoplasms such as pituitary adenoma or craniopharyngioma. The literature on this entity is sparse, with fewer than 100 cases reported across 19 publications; a recent review found only 24 cases published from 2007 to 2018. Previous reports have described demographic differences, with immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis in females tending to present in the second and third decades in association with other autoimmune disease, while males tend to present in the fifth and sixth decades of life without an autoimmune history.

Case presentation

In contrast to the reported demographic trends, here we describe a unique case of immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis in a 63-year-old white female with no history of autoimmune disease who presented with a rapidly enlarging sellar and hypothalamic mass causing headaches and cranial nerve palsies, prompting biopsy for diagnosis. The patient experienced rapid response to treatment with high-dose steroids and rituximab.

Conclusion

The case contributes to the growing clinicopathologic description of immunoglobulin-G4-related hypophysitis and illustrates that this diagnosis should be a consideration even outside the conventional demographic setting.

Recent insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmune hypophysitis

INTRODUCTION

Hypophysitis is an inflammation of the pituitary gland and a rare case of hypopituitarism. Despite the expanding spectrum of histological variants and causative agents, its pathogenesis is far to be fully understood. The present review is focused on recent evidence concerning the pathogenesis of autoimmune hypophysitis by searching through online databases like MEDLINE and Scopus up to May 2021.

AREAS COVERED

Hypophysitis frequently develops in the context of a strong autoimmune background, including a wide spectrum of subtypes ranging from the commonest form of lymphocytic hypophysitis to the newly described and less common IgG4-, anti-PIT-1, and ICI-induced forms. A peculiar combination of genetic predisposition, pituitary damage and immunological setting represents the pathogenetic basis of autoimmune hypophysitis, which is characterized by diffuse infiltration of the gland by lymphocytes and variable degrees of fibrosis followed by pituitary cell destruction. Anti-pituitary antibodies (APA) have been described in sera from patients suffering from autoimmune hypophysitis, though their pathophysiological significance remains largely unknown and their diagnostic value limited.

EXPERT OPINION

In recent years hypophysitis has gained interest due to the increased number of new diagnoses and the recognition of novel subtypes. Further studies could lead to improvements in biochemical/immunological diagnosis and targeted treatments.

IgG4-related hypophysitis

Hypophysitis is a rare pituitary inflammatory disorder classified in different ways. Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), also a rare disease is a systemic fibro-inflammatory condition characterized by infiltration of tissue with IgG4-positive plasma cells; however prevalence of both of them probably is underestimated. In this paper, we present an Iranian patient with biopsy-proven IgG4-related hypophysitis and then review the clinical characteristics, laboratory, imaging, pathologic findings and therapeutic management as well as prognosis of 115 published cases of hypophysitis secondary to IgG4-related disease.

Sellar Tumors

Sellar region lesions include a broad range of benign and malignant neoplastic as well as non-neoplastic entities, many of which are newly described or have recently revised nomenclature. In contrast to other intracranial sites, imaging features are relatively less specific, and the need for histopathological diagnosis is of paramount importance. This review will describe pituitary adenomas, inflammatory lesions, and tumors unique to the region (craniopharyngioma) as well as tumors which may occur in but are not exclusively localized to the sellar location (schwannoma, metastasis, etc.).

Lesions that mimic malignant tumors in nasopharyngeal biopsies: case series of 10 years

INTRODUCTION

Lesions mimicking malignancies in the nasopharynx are frequently seen in adult patients. These include inflammatory, metaplastic, and cystic lesions. We aimed to draw attention to rare tumor-like lesions that can be confused with malignancies and cause diagnostic difficulties clinically and radiologically.

METHODS

A total of 538 patients who underwent nasopharyngeal biopsy in our center between January 2010 and June 2020 were evaluated. Patient information was obtained from patient files and evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 19 of the 538 patients had tumor-like lesions that were included in the study. Granulomatous inflammation was present in seven cases, oncocytic metaplasia in four cases, benign cyst in five cases, fungal infection in two cases, and immunoglobulin G4-related disease in one case.

CONCLUSIONS

The nasopharynx is a region where various lesions can be seen. Some lesions form tumor-mimicking mass effect, cause increased thickness, and lead to increased metabolic activity in positron emission tomography-computed tomography that create the illusion of a malignant tumor and histopathologic verification is crucial. We aimed to present these rare tumor-like lesions that should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.

Histopathological findings in the landscape of IgG4-related pathology in patients with pituitary dysfunction: Review of six cases

IgG4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) is increasingly being reported as an isolated entity or, less frequently, as a manifestation of a multiorgan IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), in which typical histopathology is a cornerstone for the diagnosis. We aimed to describe the histopathological changes in the surgical specimens from patients with clinical signs of pituitary disease that fulfilled the current diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RH. Histopathological features were correlated with clinical and radiological findings. Of 19 patients with pituitary dysfunction and inflammatory changes in the surgical pituitary specimen operated on during 2011-2019, we identified five patients with typical IgG4-related pathology (lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with more than 10 IgG4-positive plasma cells per one high power microscopic field, representing at least 40% of all plasma cells and at least focal storiform fibrosis). One patient with diabetes insipidus and pachymeningitis with IgG4-related changes in a biopsy from the dura was also included. Additional histopathological changes that typically are not part of the IgG4-RH were observed: Rathke's cleft cyst in four and granulomatous changes in two patients. One patient had an elevated serum IgG4 level and systemic manifestations that could be associated with the systemic IgG4-RD. Our findings indicate that pure IgG4-RH is uncommon. All patients with pituitary dysfunction, beyond typical IgG4-related pathology, had other pathological findings that could trigger the secondary IgG4-response. Both primary pathology and secondary IgG4-related features should be reported in patients with pituitary dysfunction because their co-occurrence may cause atypical clinical and imaging features, and unexpected response to surgical and pharmacological treatment. The current criteria for the diagnosis of IgG4-RH can lead to overdiagnosis of IgG4-RH if additional pathological changes are not taken into consideration. The classification criteria of IgG4-RD proposed by the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism could help classify patients more properly as IgG4-RH if applied to the pituitary gland.

IgG4 hypophysitis: Diagnosis and management

IgG4-related hypophysitis is a rare disease, due to a lymphoplasmocytic IgG4 positive infiltration of the pituitary. Literature data are scarce, even though the description of cases has drastically increased over the last years. The aim of this review is to better characterize the natural history, the diagnosis and the management of IgG4-related hypophysitis, based on a clinical case, an exhaustive Pubmed research, and a reappraisal of the criteria for diagnosis. We will specifically focus on the differences with other etiologies of hypophysitis, in the aim of improving the diagnostic procedures for all the physicians who could have to take care of such patients.

Co-Occurrence of Craniopharyngioma and IgG4-Related Hypophysitis: An Epiphenomenon or a Mere Coincidence?

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngiomas are sellar-suprasellar tumors that commonly present in children, with nonspecific symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, visual disturbances, and pituitary insufficiencies. Rarely has secondary hypophysitis (lymphocytic and xanthogranulomatous) been reported in association with craniopharyngioma.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We have reported the case of a 16-year-old boy who had presented with gradually progressive diminution of vision in the right eye, intermittent headache, deceleration in growth velocity, and the lack of development of secondary sexual characteristics. Imaging revealed a sellar-suprasellar cystic lesion (3.8 × 3.1 × 3.5 cm) with calcifications. Laboratory tests revealed hypothyroidism, hypocortisolism, hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency. Craniopharyngioma was provisionally diagnosed. He underwent pterional craniotomy and gross total excision of the lesion. The excised tissue showed features of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, with a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and fibrosis involving the pituitary and dura mater. The lymphocytes were CD20-positive, and the plasma cells stained positive for IgG4 (50-60 IgG4-positive plasma cells/high power field). Consequently, the possibility of IgG4-related hypophysitis was considered in our patient. His serum IgG4 level was not elevated. Systemic involvement by IgG4-related disease was thoroughly ruled out. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography did not show any clinically significant hypermetabolism anywhere in the body. At the 3-month follow-up examination, his headache had resolved. However, he had not regained vision in his right eye. Repeat imaging studies showed no residual tumor tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case might represent the first ever report, to the best of our knowledge, of secondary IgG4-related hypophysitis due to craniopharyngioma, or it might, perhaps, be a chance association of these 2 entirely different disease entities.

Hypophysitis: An update on the novel forms, diagnosis and management of disorders of pituitary inflammation

Hypophysitis is a heterogeneous condition that leads to inflammation of the sella and/or suprasellar region, potentially resulting in hormonal deficiencies and/or mass effects. A preponderance of hypophysitis subtypes have an underlying autoimmune aetiology. The overall incidence and prevalence of hypophysitis has dramatically increased over the past decade, mainly due to increased awareness of the condition in the medical community, improvements in imaging techniques, and a rise in the occurrence of certain forms of hypophysitis such as IgG4 hypophysitis (IgG4Hy) and immune checkpoint inhibitor induced hypophysitis (ICIHy). The clinical presentation varies from an asymptomatic condition to a fatal disease often as a result of electrolyte abnormalities due to glucocorticoid deficiency in the context of adrenal crisis from central adrenal insufficiency. Milder forms of hypophysitis are treated with replacement of deficient hormones while more acute presentations with mass effects require glucocorticoid therapy, immunosuppressive therapy or surgery. Timely diagnosis and interventions are keys to prevention of the lethal complications of this disease. In this review, we provide an update on the recent advances in the field of pituitary autoimmunity, with an emphasis on autoimmune hypophysitis and novel forms of hypophysitis such as anti-PIT1 hypophysitis, IgG4Hy and ICIHy.

The Changing Clinical Spectrum of Hypophysitis

Hypophysitis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease, characterized by an elevated risk of complications, such as occurrence of acute central hypoadrenalism, persistent hypopituitarism, or extension of the inflammatory process to the neighboring neurological structures. In recent years, a large number of patients have been described as being affected by hypophysitis, due to the increased administration of immuno-chemotherapies. At the present time, the heterogeneous nature of hypophysitis diagnostic criteria and of the treatment protocols makes the management of affected patients difficult. We review the current data and evidence on primary and secondary hypophysitis, in order to suggest a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol that should be focused on a multidisciplinary approach, for reaching a prompt diagnosis and an appropriate and safe treatment.

New causes of hypophysitis

Hypophysitis is a rare entity characterized by inflammation of the pituitary gland and its stalk that can cause hypopituitarism and/or mass effect. Etiology can be categorized as primary or secondary to systemic disease, but may also be classified according to anatomical and hispathological criteria. Newly recognized causes of hypophysits have been described, mainly secondary to immunomodulatory medications and IgG4-related disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory and imaging data, whereas pituitary biopsy, though rarely indicated, may provide a definitive histological diagnosis. For the clinician, obtaining a broad clinical and drug history, and performing a thorough physical examination is essential. Management of hypophysitis includes hormone replacement therapy if hypopituitarism is present and control of the consequences of the inflammatory pituitary mass (e.g. compression of the optic chiasm) using high-dose glucocorticoids, whereas pituitary surgery is reserved for those unresponsive to medical therapy and/or have progressive disease. However, there remains an unmet need for controlled studies to inform clinical practice.

Disease heterogeneity in IgG4-related hypophysitis: report of two histopathologically proven cases and review of the literature

IgG4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) is a rare disease, which can occur singularly or as manifestation of a systemic IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Less than one hundred cases have been reported in the literature, very few of which were histopathologically documented. We analyzed the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of two cases of IgG4-RH, the former observed in a 66-year-old man in the context of an IgG4-RD, and the latter affecting a 21-year-old woman, as an isolated lesion. In addition, we performed a comprehensive review of the previously published histopathologically documented cases of IgG4-RH. Pituitary samples from both patients showed dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, interstitial and storiform fibrosis, and high numbers of IgG4-positive plasma cells, consistent with IgG4-RH. From the literature review, we retrieved 18 papers reporting a total of 22 cases of histopathologically documented IgG4-RH. The revision of these cases, also including the two reported herein, showed an equal distribution of IgG4-RH in the two sexes, albeit significant clinico-pathological variation was found between cases arisen in female and male patients, respectively. In detail, IgG4-RH females were affected in their second-third decade of life, with a solitary pituitary lesion, low IgG4 serum level, and frequent association with autoimmune disorders. By contrast, IgG4-RH in men was a disease of the elderly, often in the context of a systemic IgG4-RD, with high IgG4 serum levels. Our study shows that IgG4-RH, as currently defined, is a clinically heterogenous disease, with different features in the two sexes. Indeed, cases diagnosed in young women, as our case 2, mostly do not present other evidence of IgG4-RD and might be better classified as lymphocytic hypophysitis with abundant IgG4+ plasma cells. For this reason, the histopathological examination of the pituitary lesion, particularly in female patients, may still be useful for a correct differential diagnosis with other variants of primary hypophysitis.

Clinical Characteristics of 76 Patients with IgG4-Related Hypophysitis: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

IgG4-related hypophysitis (IgG4-RH) is a rare disease, and its prevalence remains unclear. In recent years, an increasing number of cases have been reported because of the increasing recognition of this disease. We aimed to summarize case reports of IgG4-RH and outline the clinical features and outcomes.

METHODS

We performed PubMed search of articles using the search terms "hypophysitis [AND] IgG4." Consequently, only 54 English articles (76 cases) met Leporati's diagnostic criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 76 cases, the ratio of men to women was 1.5 : 1, and the age at diagnosis was 54.1 ± 17.8 years. The median IgG4 concentration was 405.0 mg/dl. Anterior hypopituitarism, isolated central diabetes insipidus, and panhypopituitarism were observed in 14 (18.4%), 12 (15.8%), and 44 (57.9%) cases, respectively. The sequence of anterior hormone deficiency was as follows: gonadotropin (68.4%), ACTH (63.2%), TSH (59.2%), GH (48.7%), and prolactin (42.1%). The median number of involved organs was 1.5, and the lung (18.4%), retroperitoneum (17.1%), kidney (15.8%), submandibular glands (14.5%), and pancreas (13.2%) were the common involved organs. Elevated IgG4 concentration and normal IgG4 level were in 42 (76.4%) and 13 (23.6%) cases, respectively. Patients with elevated serum IgG4 concentration were older (60.9 ± 14.3 vs 45.6 ± 17.4, p=0.001) and male-prone (78.6% vs 40.4%, p=0.003) and had a susceptibility of multiple organ involvement (78.6% vs 35.0%, p=0.001) compared to those with normal serum IgG4 levels. Males were older at disease onset (61.5 ± 12.6 vs 42.9 ± 18.8, p < 0.001) and had a higher IgG4 concentration (425.0 vs 152.5, p=0.029) and a greater number of involved organs (2.0 vs 0.0, p=0.001), while isolated hypophysitis was more prominent in female (63.3% vs 26.1%, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this review, we found that there were different characteristics between different genders. Patients with elevated serum IgG4 level in terms of some clinical features were also different from those with normal serum IgG4 level. However, the data in this review were limited by bias and confounding. Further clinical studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Rituximab treatment for isolated IgG4-related hypophysitis in a teenage female

IgG4-related hypophysitis is an important diagnostic consideration in patients with a pituitary mass or pituitary dysfunction and can initially present with headaches, visual field deficits and/or endocrine dysfunction. Isolated IgG4-related pituitary disease is rare, with most cases of IgG4-related disease involving additional organ systems. We report the case of a teenage female patient with isolated IgG4-related hypophysitis, diagnosed after initially presenting with headaches. Our patient had no presenting endocrinologic abnormalities. She was treated with surgical resection, prednisolone and rituximab with no further progression of disease and sustained normal endocrine function. This case, the youngest described patient with isolated IgG4-related hypophysitis and uniquely lacking endocrinologic abnormalities, adds to the limited reports of isolated pituitary disease. The use of rituximab for isolated pituitary disease has never been described. While IgG4-related hypophysitis has been increasingly recognized, substantial evidence concerning the appropriate treatment and follow-up of these patients is largely lacking. Learning points: IgG4-related hypophysitis most often occurs in the setting of additional organ involvement but can be an isolated finding. This diagnosis should therefore be considered in a patient presenting with pituitary abnormalities. Most patients with IgG4-related hypophysitis will have abnormal pituitary function, but normal functioning does not exclude this diagnosis. Corticosteroids have been the mainstay of therapy for IgG4-related disease, with other immunosuppressive regimens being reserved for refractory cases. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of corticosteroid-sparing regimens and whether there is utility in using these agents as first-line therapies.

[Oculomotor nerve compression on MRI in a 56-year-old man with pituitary apoplexy due to panhypophisitis]

A 56-year-old man noted sudden onset of headache, fever, right pupil-spared oculomotor nerve palsy and consciousness disturbance. Swelling of pituitary with T₁ high intensity on brain MRI suggested the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. Considering significant decrease of pituitary anterior lobe hormone and central diabetes insipidus, high dose of hydrocortisone was administered. Eight days after onset, consciousness level and headache improved. On day 30, brain MRI revealed the reduction of mass size, and on day 46, photophobia and double vision disappeared. Following the rapid response to steroid and disappearance of pituitary lesion, pituitary apoplexy was probably caused by panhypophisitis. Thin-slice brain MRI confirmed the compression of oculomotor nerve at inlet zone of cavernous sinus, suggesting the mechanism of oculomotor palsy was perfusion impairment of feeding artery.

Neuro-ophthalmic complications of IgG4-related disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is increasingly recognized as a fibroinflammatory disease with a plethora of organ-specific manifestations but a particular predilection for head and neck tissues, including the nervous system. This review discusses general features and organ-specific presentations of IgG4-RD as well as treatment considerations, particularly emphasizing features of neuro-ophthalmic interest.

RECENT FINDINGS

IgG4-RD is emerging as a common cause of several fibroinflammatory disorders in the head and neck that were previously considered idiopathic, such as sclerosing orbital pseudotumor, orbital myositis, hypophysitis, and hypertrophic pachymeningitis. New and unusual presentations continue to be described, including a number of vascular manifestations. Substantial progress has been made in elucidating the cell types involved in IgG4-RD, and new pathogenic models are being proposed. Although clinicopathologic correlation remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, ancillary tests such as flow cytometry for circulating plasmablasts and PET-computed tomography have high sensitivity, and certain radiologic features are recognized to be particularly suggestive, such as infraorbital nerve enlargement in IgG4-RD orbitopathy. IgG4-RD often responds to steroids but incomplete responses and relapses are common. Rituximab is emerging as a promising new therapy.

SUMMARY

The current review summarizes manifestations of IgG4RD that are of particular relevance to neuro-ophthalmic practice.

Clivus Inflammatory Pseudotumor Associated with Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a more recently recognized syndrome. It is characterized by increasing IgG4-positive plasma cells and lymphocyte infiltration. Reports of intracranial pseudotumors associated with IgG4-related disease are very rare. We report a rare case of clivus pseudotumor associated with IgG4-related disease mimicking meningioma.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 50-year-old man presented with abducens paralysis of the right eye. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a uniformly enhanced mass located in the right upper clivus area, and meningioma was highly suspected. The tumor was totally resected via a retrosigmoid approach craniotomy, which achieved sufficient decompression of the right abducens nerve. Postoperative pathology revealed IgG4-related disease with IgG4 strongly positive on immunohistochemical staining. The patient had no history of autoimmune disease. Postoperative laboratory data revealed no elevation of either IgG (6.94 g/L) or IgG4 (0.131 g/L). Follow-up contrast MRI showed the lesion had disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several cases of intrasellar hypophysitis have been reported, reports of intracranial pseudotumors associated with IgG4-related disease are rare. Special attention is required when the differential diagnosis includes meningioma. Preoperative diagnosis is very important because inflammatory pseudotumors associated with IgG4-related disease could be treated with steroid therapy, avoiding surgery.

Immunohistochemical Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Hematolymphoid Neoplasms of Endocrine Organs

The hematolymphoid infiltrations are challenging lesions in endocrine organs and tissues. The fourth edition of WHO classification of tumors of endocrine organs and the fourth edition of WHO classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues are recently published. The updates in both fields include some new disease descriptions and prognostic markers. Our aim in this review article is to give practical diagnostic information about the most frequently seen hematolymphoid involvements of the pituitary gland, thyroid, and adrenal tissue. We designed the text in the order of organs and the contents according to the disease frequency. The pituitary gland and cellar region are the most frequently involved with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Although it is very rare, Erdheim-Chester disease has recently been included in the classification and still needs more clear diagnostic definitions. Lymphoproliferative thyroid lesions and presentations create diagnostic problems for the pathologists. IGG4-related disease and its relation with thyroiditis is a new concept. There are many unknowns on pathobiology of the disease spectrum and discussion on defined diagnostic criteria of the IGG4-related thyroid diseases. The overlapping features of thyroiditis and primary thyroid lymphomas also create diagnostic difficulties. The frequently recognized primary hematolymphoid lesions of the endocrine organs may not be difficult to diagnose since they are expected lesions. The secondary involvement of hematolymphoid neoplasia may be more difficult to diagnose for an endocrine pathologist. In this review article, we aim to give brief description of the diseases and practical diagnostic approach by using optimum markers guided by the latest WHO classifications.