Acute hypopituitarism in a pregnant patient after cardiac gunshot injury

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Gunshot Wounds in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

A systematic review was performed to compare adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant patients with gunshot wounds (GSW) to the abdominopelvic vs other region(s) at > 20 weeks gestation. A search of Medline Ovid, Elsevier Embase, EBSCO CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in July 2022 and reference searches resulted in 1742 studies, which were screened. The 41 included studies reported outcomes for 59 pregnant patients with GSW, of which 31 (52.5%) had an isolated abdominopelvic GSW and 28 (47.5%) had an extremity, thorax, head/neck, back/spine, poly-site, or other/unknown GSW. Stillbirth occurred in 26.7% of abdominopelvic GSW and 26% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Maternal death occurred in 3.7% of abdominopelvic GSW and 10.7% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Neonatal death occurred in 9.1% of abdominopelvic GSW and 5.3% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Further research is needed to standardize the approach for the evaluation and management of patients with GSW in pregnancy.

Pituitary insufficiency following traumatic thoracic injury in an adolescent male patient: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Traumatic thoracic injuries in adolescents are rare but could be connected with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and development of chronic hypopituitarism. Early recognition of these endocrine problems is a significant challenge to clinicians. We present difficulties in diagnosis of hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency following traumatic thoracic injury in adolescence. We also review the literature of similar cases.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of a 24-years-old male. In 2007, at the age of 15 he underwent a severe traffic accident followed by thoracic injury with concussion, hemothorax and dissection of the aorta requiring aortic stent-graft implantation.

DIAGNOSES

During the post-traumatic period, transient polydipsia and polyuria symptoms were observed. The patient had no medical history of any serious disease before the accident, his growth and pubertal development was normal. After the accident the patient did not undergo any routine medical check-ups. In 2013 gonadal axis deficiency was diagnosed during investigation of libido problems. Following the diagnosis testosterone replacement therapy was initiated.

INTERVENTIONS

Further endocrinological investigation was carried out in 2016. The patient's main complaints were decreased mood and poor physical fitness. BMI was 27.34 kg/m, with a tendency to abdominal fat distribution. The patient's height is 160 cm, while Mid Parental Height (MPH) is 173.5 cm. Decreased bone density was found in DEXA examination. Serum growth hormone level (GH) was normal while insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level was below normal. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) and low levels of IGF-1 confirmed somatotropic axis deficiency. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the hypothalamo-pituitary region showed no abnormalities. PROP 1 and other common genetic mutations associated with GH deficits were excluded. Testosterone treatment was continued. The patient increased physical activity and implemented diet.

OUTCOMES

The patient has lost weight, improved physical activity performance and is feeling better. The procedure to start GH supplementation is now in process.

LESSONS

Based on our case and available literature we suggest that adolescent patients after traumatic brain injuries may require precise investigation and strict monitoring due to the possibility of unrecognized hypopituitarism.

Sheehan's syndrome: new insights into an old disease

Sheehan's syndrome (SS) is a parturition-related pituitary disease resulting from severe postpartum hemorrhage and can present with varying degrees of pituitary insufficiency. Pathological and clinical findings of SS were first described by Harold L. Sheehan in the previous century. Although his definitions are still valid, various studies and reports including new data have subsequently been published. Additionally, the diagnosis of SS has often been overlooked and thus delayed for long years due to its nonspecific signs and symptoms. Therefore, a large number of patients may be remained undiagnosed and untreated. SS is not as rare as assumed in developed countries, probably due to migrant women and unawareness of physicians regarding the syndrome. In this review, we provide a detailed review of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical, laboratory and radiological features, new diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and treatment of SS.

[Sheehan's syndrome after obstetric hemorrhage]

Sheehan's syndrome is described as panhypopituitarism secondary to a pituitary hypoperfusion during or just after obstetric hemorrhage. Advances in obstetric care make this syndrome quite unusual, but some cases are reported in underdeveloped countries. Clinical presentation may change depending on the severity of the hormone deficiencies. The diagnosis is clinical, but abnormalities are observed in the magnetic resonance in up to 70% of patients. We present a case of a woman with hypotension, hypothermia and edemas in relation to a previous massive postpartum hemorrhage. Failure in lactation was the clue to the diagnosis. A review of its main features, its diagnosis and treatment in the current literature is also presented.