Clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients presenting with pituitary apoplexy

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pituitary Apoplexy, A True Endocrine Emergency

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical syndrome resulting from a hemorrhagic infarction of the pituitary gland. It is characterized by the sudden onset of visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, headache and occasionally, signs of meningeal irritation and an altered mental status. The exact pathogenesis of PA remains to be elucidated, although tumor overgrowth of its blood supply remains the most popular theory. Main risk factors for the development of PA include systemic, iatrogenic, and external factors as well as the presence of an underlying pituitary tumor. The diagnostic approach of PA includes both neuroimaging and evaluation of pituitary secretory function. PA is a potentially life-threatening condition which should be managed with hemodynamic stabilization, correction of electrolyte abnormalities and replacement of hormonal deficiencies. PA treatment should be individualized based on the severity of the clinical picture which may vary widely. Treatment options include conservative management with periodic follow-up or neurosurgical intervention, which should be decided by a multidisciplinary team. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to unveil the frequency of PA predisposing factors, clinical and biochemical presentations, management strategies and outcomes.

Secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus following pituitary apoplexy: A case report

Background

Although secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH) can occur in various central nervous system diseases, there are no reports of sNPH caused by pituitary lesions. Herein, we present a unique case of sNPH caused by pituitary apoplexy.

Case Description

A 70-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of a sudden onset of headache and loss of consciousness. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test showed slightly elevated cell counts and protein levels but a negative CSF culture test. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a dumbbell-like cystic lesion with hemorrhagic change at the sella turcica. From the above, the patient was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis caused by pituitary apoplexy. Pituitary hormone replacement therapy was undertaken, and his symptoms fully improved. However, two months later, he complained of a gait disturbance and incontinence that had gradually appeared. Brain imaging with computed tomography showed no ventricular enlargement compared with initial images, although the lateral ventricles were slightly enlarged. As a CSF drainage test improved his symptoms temporarily, sNPH with possible longstanding overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) background was suspected. We performed a lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) placement, which improved his symptoms.

Conclusion

This case suggests that sNPH can develop even after a small subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a pituitary apoplexy in LOVA patients. If the aqueduct of Sylvius is open, sNPH with a LOVA background can be successfully treated with LPS placement.

A case report of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor manifesting as severe conjunctival chemosis

BACKGROUND

Conjunctival chemosis (CC) is an extremely rare symptom of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET). We report an extremely rare case of PitNET manifesting as severe CC.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with severe CC, proptosis, and ptosis of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the tumor mass invading the cavernous sinus (CS) with cystic lesion. The patient underwent emergent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, and the pathological diagnosis was PitNET. CC of the right eye remarkably improved after the surgery. Glucocorticoid therapy was performed for right oculomotor nerve palsy, which rapidly improved. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from our hospital without hormone replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

CC caused by CS invasion of PitNET can be cured by early surgical treatment. Therefore, PitNET is important to consider in the differential diagnosis of CC.

Pituitary Apoplexy in Patients with Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (PitNET)

Various complications of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) are reported, and an intratumor hemorrhage or infarct underlying pituitary apoplexy (PA) represents an uncommon, yet potentially life-threatening, feature, and thus early recognition and prompt intervention are important. Our purpose is to overview PA from clinical presentation to management and outcome. This is a narrative review of the English-language, PubMed-based original articles from 2012 to 2022 concerning PA, with the exception of pregnancy- and COVID-19-associated PA, and non-spontaneous PA (prior specific therapy for PitNET). We identified 194 original papers including 1452 patients with PA (926 males, 525 females, and one transgender male; a male-to-female ratio of 1.76; mean age at PA diagnostic of 50.52 years, the youngest being 9, the oldest being 85). Clinical presentation included severe headache in the majority of cases (but some exceptions are registered, as well); neuro-ophthalmic panel with nausea and vomiting, meningism, and cerebral ischemia; respectively, decreased visual acuity to complete blindness in two cases; visual field defects: hemianopia, cranial nerve palsies manifesting as diplopia in the majority, followed by ptosis and ophthalmoplegia (most frequent cranial nerve affected was the oculomotor nerve, and, rarely, abducens and trochlear); proptosis (N = 2 cases). Risk factors are high blood pressure followed by diabetes mellitus as the main elements. Qualitative analysis also pointed out infections, trauma, hematologic conditions (thrombocytopenia, polycythemia), Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and T3 thyrotoxicosis. Iatrogenic elements may be classified into three main categories: medication, diagnostic tests and techniques, and surgical procedures. The first group is dominated by anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs; additionally, at a low level of statistical evidence, we mention androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, chemotherapy, thyroxine therapy, oral contraceptives, and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. The second category includes a dexamethasone suppression test, clomiphene use, combined endocrine stimulation tests, and a regadenoson myocardial perfusion scan. The third category involves major surgery, laparoscopic surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, mitral valvuloplasty, endonasal surgery, and lumbar fusion surgery in a prone position. PA in PitNETs still represents a challenging condition requiring a multidisciplinary team from first presentation to short- and long-term management. Controversies involve the specific panel of risk factors and adequate protocols with concern to neurosurgical decisions and their timing versus conservative approach. The present decade-based analysis, to our knowledge the largest so far on published cases, confirms a lack of unanimous approach and criteria of intervention, a large panel of circumstantial events, and potential triggers with different levels of statistical significance, in addition to a heterogeneous clinical picture (if any, as seen in subacute PA) and a spectrum of evolution that varies from spontaneous remission and control of PitNET-associated hormonal excess to exitus. Awareness is mandatory. A total of 25 cohorts have been published so far with more than 10 PA cases/studies, whereas the largest cohorts enrolled around 100 patients. Further studies are necessary.

The presenting visual symptoms of optic chiasmal disease

Recognising optic chiasmal disease early is important in order to avoid irreversible visual loss and the potential risk of mortality for patients. Yet, there is frequently a delay in the initial diagnosis. Whilst the signs of optic chiasmal disease, particularly the perimetric findings, are well documented in the recent literature, the symptoms have been less well reported. Whilst some patients with optic chiasmal disease will be asymptomatic, many will complain of visual symptoms including symptomatic field defects, problems with central vision, difficulty with near tasks, binocular visual disturbances, colour vision disturbances, photophobia, phosphenes, glare, and rarely, oscillopsia and visual hallucinations. Others may have headache or the severe and sudden visual symptoms associated with pituitary apoplexy. The visual symptoms may be vague or non-specific, even when there are significant bitemporal visual field defects. We aim in this review to describe the presenting visual symptoms of optic chiasmal disease, and to illustrate these with selected qualitative descriptions from the literature. Our hope is that this will aid clinicians in eliciting a careful history of the sometimes subtle symptoms that may be present.

Revisiting Pituitary Apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare clinical syndrome due to pituitary hemorrhage or infarction. It is characterized by the sudden onset of one or more of the following: severe headache, visual disturbance, nausea/vomiting, and or altered mental status. Most commonly, PA occurs in an underlying pituitary adenoma. The pathophysiology is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve elements of increased metabolic demand and/or compromise to the vasculature of the pituitary or pituitary tumor. Several risk factors have been described. Stabilization of the patient on presentation, replacement of hormonal deficiencies, and reversal of electrolyte abnormalities are the recommended initial steps in the management of patients with PA. Surgical decompression of the mass effect had been the recommended treatment for patients with PA; however, retrospective studies of patients with PA have demonstrated similar outcomes when a conservative approach is applied. This suggests that in highly selected clinical scenarios (mild visual deficit and improving symptoms), conservative management is possible. Further studies, however, are necessary to better stratify patients but are limited by the rarity of the condition and the acuity.

Potential Association Between Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse and Pituitary Apoplexy: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare, and potentially life-threatening condition, caused by hemorrhage or infarction into the pituitary gland with a rapid expansion of the contents of the sella turcica, associated with sudden intense headache, neurological and endocrinological deterioration. The identification of risk factors is crucial for prevention and optimal management. Herein we report a case of PA occurring 1 month after the initiation of anabolic androgenic steroid abuse for bodybuilding.

CASE REPORT

A 40-year-old male patient presents with abrupt onset headache associated with left partial third cranial nerve palsy. The MRI shows a sellar lesion involving left cavernous sinus with a heterogenous anterior aspect of the lesion with hemorrhagic zones in favor of PA. Endocrine work-up shows high testosterone level in patient who was using exogenous testosterone without a medical prescription for a month.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of PA of a pituitary neuroendocrine tumor occurring shortly after AAS. The association between PA and AAS should be considered as a potential risk.

Case Report: Polyneuropathy Pituitary Apoplexy with Normal Perimetry and Initially Normal Neuroimaging

SIGNIFICANCE

Pituitary apoplexy is a syndrome with a varied appearance, which carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. It is important to recognize the potential numerous symptoms and clinical findings, urgently investigate with the proper neuroimaging tests, and coordinate care with the appropriate specialists without delay.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to describe a patient with worsening headache and ophthalmoparesis attributable to pituitary apoplexy who initially had reportedly a normal neuroimaging result and were diagnosed with migraine.

CASE REPORT

A 39-year-old Hispanic man with a history of migraine developed a new and worsening headache. He presented to a hospital emergency department where he underwent a non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography and MRI, whose results were subsequently interpreted as normal. His headache was attributed to migraine, and he was medicated as such and discharged. Three days later, he developed horizontal and vertical diplopia and sought a second opinion. His visual acuity and visual fields were normal. He manifested a right pupil-sparing, external partial cranial nerve III palsy and concurrent right sixth nerve palsy. He also complained of worsening headache and lethargy. He was immediately referred for contrast-enhanced MRI and magnetic resonance angiography with suspicion of pituitary apoplexy. Subsequent imaging revealed a hemorrhagic pituitary macroadenoma consistent with pituitary apoplexy that was expanding laterally into the right cavernous sinus. He underwent immediate neurosurgical surgical repair.

CONCLUSIONS

New or worsening headache with signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism should immediately be investigated for pituitary apoplexy. Other possible findings include involvement of cranial nerves III through VI because of cavernous sinus involvement and visual deficits if the optic chiasm or intracranial portion of the optic nerve is involved. However, growth may be lateral, and no visual deficits may be found, as in this case. Multiple concurrent cranial neuropathies should increase suspicion for cavernous sinus involvement.

Headache for ophthalmologists: current advances in headache understanding and management

Patients with headache and head pain are often referred to ophthalmologists. These symptoms can either be associated with underlying ophthalmic conditions, or more often are headache disorders unrelated to the eyes. Understanding the phenotype of the headache is critical for advice, safe discharge or onward referral. This review will provide an update on the criteria for common headache disorders that are often seen by ophthalmology and embrace disorders associated with ophthalmic diseases. It will also describe the changing management of migraine and outline recent therapies that are currently available.

A Rare Case of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Associated With Pituitary Apoplexy Without Comorbidities

Pituitary apoplexy is a medical and surgical emergency caused by hemorrhage or infarction of the hypophysis, which typically occurs within a pituitary adenoma. It is usually characterized by severe (often thunderclap) headache, visual disturbances, cranial nerve impairments, and hormonal deficiencies. We herein report a case of a previously healthy woman with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection associated with pituitary apoplexy. The plausible pathophysiological mechanisms of pituitary apoplexy in infectious coronavirus disease 2019 are discussed.

Pituitary haemorrhage and infarction: the spectrum of disease

BACKGROUND

Pituitary apoplexy is an acute syndrome of haemorrhage or infarction into the pituitary. The condition is relatively well-described. Less well-described is sub-acute presentation of the same condition.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical presentation and natural history of subacute pituitary haemorrhage/infarction with pituitary apoplexy (acute).

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of a consecutive cohort of 55 patients (33 with pituitary apoplexy, 22 with subacute disease) presenting to University Hospital Plymouth between 1994 and 2019. Comparison of the clinical, endocrinological and radiological features at presentation. Comparison of clinical treatment and subsequent outcomes for the two groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in predisposing factors for the two groups. Acute headache was more frequent in the acute group. Chronic headache was common in both groups prior to presentation. Low sodium was more common at presentation in the acute group (11/26 vs 2/19 P = 0.02) otherwise there were no differences in endocrine deficit at presentation. A significant proportion showed an improvement in endocrine function at follow up (acute 8/31, subacute 5/21 P = 1.0). MRI characteristics were variable at presentation and follow up in both groups. Ring enhancement with contrast was more frequent in acute (14/20 vs 3/11 P = 0.03). This appearance resolved at follow up in the majority.

CONCLUSIONS

Pituitary apoplexy has a characteristic and dramatic presentation. Subacute pituitary haemorrhage/infarction shows similar natural history and outcome. These conditions would appear to represent a spectrum of the same condition.

Acute Sterile Meningitis as a Primary Manifestation of Pituitary Apoplexy

Objective

We report a case of pituitary apoplexy (PA) with negative radiographic findings for PA and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis consistent with neutrophilic meningitis. PA is a rare endocrinopathy requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Presentation with acute neutrophilic meningitis is uncommon.

Methods

The diagnostic modalities included pituitary function tests (adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin), brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CSF analysis.

Results

A 67-year-old man presented with worsening headache, nausea, and retching. He was somnolent with an overall normal neurologic examination other than a peripheral vision defect in the left eye. MRI showed a pituitary mass bulging into the suprasellar cistern with optic chiasm elevation, consistent with pituitary macroadenoma. Laboratory evaluation revealed decreased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, random cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone. He had worsening encephalopathy with left eye ptosis and decreased vision, prompting a repeat computed tomography and MRI, showing no interval change in the pituitary adenoma or evidence of bleeding. CSF analysis revealed a leukocyte count of 1106/mm³ (89% neutrophils), a total protein level of 138 mg/dL, red blood cell count of 2040/mm³ without xanthochromia, and glucose level of 130 mg/dL. The CSF culture result was negative. Transsphenoidal resection revealed a necrotic pituitary adenoma with apoplexy.

Conclusions

Including PA in the differential diagnosis of acute headache is important, particularly in patients with visual disturbances. PA can present with sterile meningitis, mimicking acute bacterial meningitis. While neuroimaging can help detect PA, the diagnosis of PA remains largely clinical.

Metabolic and Endocrine Challenges

This review aims to provide an overview of metabolic and endocrine challenges in the setting of intensive care medicine. These are a group of heterogeneous clinical conditions with a high degree of overlap, as well as nonspecific signs and symptoms. Several diseases involve multiple organ systems, potentially causing catastrophic dysfunction and death. In the majority of cases, endocrine challenges accompany other organ failures or manifest as a complication of prolonged intensive care unit stay and malnutrition. However, when endocrine disorders present as an isolated syndrome, they are a rare and extreme manifestation. As they are uncommon, these can typically challenge both with diagnosis and management. Acute exacerbations may be elicited by triggers such as infections, trauma, surgery, and hemorrhage. In this complex scenario, early diagnosis and prompt treatment require knowledge of the specific endocrine syndrome. Here, we review diabetic coma, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, thyroid emergencies, pituitary insufficiency, adrenal crisis, and vitamin D deficiency, highlighting diagnostic tools and tricks, and management pathways through defining common clinical presentations.

[Pituitary apoplexy following coronary bypass surgery: A case report and literature review]

INTRODUCTION

Pituitary apoplexy is a >rare entity that presents with a sudden onset of headache associated with visual and endocrinological disturbances due to pituitary hemorrhage or infarction. It usually occurs in patients with an unknown pituitary adenoma. Cardiac surgery, and especially coronary artery bypass grafting, can be a precipitating factor in these patients.

CASE REPORT

We report an 82-year-old male patient who presented with sudden headache and delirium, a right sixth cranial nerve palsy, a right temporal hemianopsia, and a severe loss of left eye visual acuity in the immediate post-operative course of a coronary artery bypass surgery. Pituitary apoplexy was demonstrated on both MRI and CT-scan. Trans-sphenoidal surgical decompression was performed 13 days after coronary artery bypass grafting, with immediate beneficial effect on the delirium and a partial recovery of visual disturbances.

CONCLUSION

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and life-threatening complication that may occur after cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass, cardiac valve surgery), often precipitated by the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. It can occur after other surgical procedures (orthopedic, digestive, thoracic). The diagnosis must be considered during the early postoperative period in the presence of unusual and severe headache associated with visual disturbances.

Pituitary Apoplexy Accompanying Temporal Lobe Seizure as a Complication

BACKGROUND

Pituitary apoplexy is an acute clinical syndrome caused by infarction and/or hemorrhage of pituitary adenoma, which typically presents with severe headache, visual deterioration, and endocrine abnormalities. However, temporal lobe seizure (and temporal lobe epilepsy) has not been viewed as a symptom of pituitary apoplexy in the literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

To elucidate further such a rare complication of temporal lobe seizure, we describe here the rare clinical manifestations of a 55-year-old previously healthy man with pituitary apoplexy harboring headache, combined palsies involving cranial nerves III to VI, endocrinologic disturbances, and temporal lobe seizure. In addition, we discuss the temporal lobe seizure (and temporal lobe epilepsy) associated with pituitary adenoma based on the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Although further accumulation of clinical data is needed, we would like to emphasize the importance of recognition of temporal lobe seizure caused by pituitary apoplexy, and to suggest that early surgery could be considered as an option in patients displaying such a rare complication.