Pituitary Apoplexy in Pregnancy: What do We Know? / Apoplexia hipofisária na gravidez: o que sabemos?

Abstract Pituitary apoplexy refers to a rare clinical syndrome consisting of signs and symptoms that occur due to rapid expansion of the contents of the sella turcica. It can occur spontaneously or associated with pituitary tumors. It can have a broad clinical spectrum, but usually presents with severe headache, visual impairment and hypopituitarism. Sudden onset of symptoms associated to imagiologic confirmation makes the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is advised when there is important compression of the optic tract. We present a case report and a review of the literature on pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy. The cases were reviewed to obtain information on maternal characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, therapeutic modalities and maternal and fetal outcomes. Our review found 36 cases of pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy. Most of the cases occurred in the second trimester of pregnancy and headache was the most frequent symptom at presentation. Surgical therapy was required in more than half of the patients. In what respect maternal and fetal outcomes, there were 3 cases of preterm delivery and one case of maternal death. Our clinical case and literature review reinforces the importance of an early diagnosis to avoid potential adverse consequences.

Apoplejía pituitaria e infección por SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) / Pituitary apoplexy and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection

Resumen La infección por coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) es responsable de un diverso rango de manifestaciones extrapulmonares entre las cuales se destaca el compromiso neurológico directo o indirecto. La apoplejía hipofisaria es una entidad médica y neuroquirúrgica de gravedad variable que suele asociarse a la presencia de un adenoma subyacente. Un escaso número de reportes han vinculado estas dos enfermedades entre sí. Este trabajo describe un caso de apoplejía hipofisaria manifestada clínicamente en for ma concomitante al diagnóstico de COVID 19, en un paciente con macroadenoma hipofisario desconocido y su manejo terapéutico, revisando los mecanismos potencialmente subyacentes al nexo entre ambas entidades.

Abstract Coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) is responsible for a wide variety of extrapulmonary manifestations, among which direct or indirect neurological compromise stands out. Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical and neurosurgical entity of variable severity, usually associated with a pituitary adenoma. Literature is scarce regarding the association between these diseases. This paper reports a case of pituitary apoplexy, manifested concomitantly to the diagnosis of COVID 19 in a patient with unknown pituitary macroadenoma, and its therapeutic management, reviewing the mechanisms potentially underlying the link between both entities.

La meningoencefalitis bacteriana que era en realidad una apoplejía hipofisaria

Introducción: La apoplejía hipofisaria es un síndrome que se produce como consecuencia de una lesión isquémica o hemorrágica en la glándula pituitaria dando lugar a un déficit de hormonas hipofisarias. Se manifiesta en forma de deterioro neurológico con cefalea en trueno como síntoma prínceps, siendo la irritación meníngea una manifestación infrecuente. Métodos: Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 53 años con antecedente de madroadenoma productor de prolactina que comienza con cefalea, náuseas y deterioro de nivel de consciencia. Se detecta un hipopituitarismo incompleto con nivel de cortisol normal. El líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) es consistente con una pleocitosis aséptica sin respuesta a terapias antibióticas. Asocia paresia oculomotora y una RM craneal revela sangrado en el adenoma hipofisario con compromiso de seno cavernoso. Resultados: la sospecha inicial es una meningoencefalitis bacteriana por la fiebre, estupor y LCR con pleocitosis, si bien no se identifica microorganismo y no hay respuesta a antibióticos. El LCR de la apoplejía muestra una pleocitosis aséptica por irritación meníngea del espacio subaracnoideo por el sangrado y la necrosis de la glándula. El hipopituitarismo puede ser parcial o completo, siendo más frecuente el déficit selectivo. Especial atención merece el déficit de ACTH por la morbimortalidad que conlleva el fallo adrenal. La oftalmoparesia traduce implicación de seno cavernoso por incremento en la presión selar. Conclusiones: Destacamos la importancia de tener una sospecha diagnóstica de apoplejía ante un cuadro neurológico agudo para dirigir las investigaciones pertinentes con determinación hormonal y así iniciar una terapia sustitutiva temprana y una actitud neuroquirúrgica en caso de ser necesaria; precisando un manejo multidisciplinar.

Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy is a syndrome that occurs as a result of an ischemic or hemorrhagic lesion in the pituitary gland, leading to a deficiency of pituitary hormones. It manifests in the form of neurological deterioration with thunderclap headache as the main symptom, with meningeal irritation being an infrequent manifestation. Methods: We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with a history of prolactin-producing madroadenoma that began with headache, nausea and impaired level of consciousness. Incomplete hypopituitarism with normal cortisol level is detected. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is consistent with an aseptic pleocytosis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. It is associated with oculomotor paresis and a cranial MRI reveals bleeding in the pituitary adenoma with involvement of the cavernous sinus. Results: the initial suspicion is bacterial meningoencephalitis due to fever, stupor and CSF with pleocytosis, although no microorganism is identified and there is no response to antibiotics. CSF from stroke shows aseptic pleocytosis due to meningeal irritation of the subarachnoid space from bleeding and necrosis of the gland. Hypopituitarism can be partial or complete, selective deficiency being more frequent. ACTH deficiency deserves special attention due to the morbidity and mortality that adrenal failure entails. Ophthalmoparesis translates involvement of the cavernous sinus due to an increase in sellar pressure. Conclusions: We emphasize the importance of having a suspected diagnosis of apoplexy in case of an acute neurological condition, to direct the pertinent investigations with hormonal determination and thus initiate early replacement therapy and a neurosurgical approach if necessary; requiring a multidisciplinary management.

Type 1 diabetes in DKA with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and pituitary apoplexy � A diagnostic dilemma

A 17-year-old underweight boy came with a classical emergency of diabetic ketoacidosis associated with two additional clinical features; persistently low blood pressure despite adequate fluid resuscitation and hypogonadal features with Tanner stage 3 pubic hair, absent facial, and axillary hair along with a high-pitched voice. These findings triggered an endocrine workup which revealed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Suspecting primary pituitary pathology, an magnetic resonance imaging brain, was done which showed a well-defined hyperintense lesion in the pituitary suggestive of pituitary apoplexy. In the absence of headache, diplopia, and visual field defects, this incidental finding posed a dilemma regarding the diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis in the presence of apoplexy.

Pituitary apoplexy. An unusual cause of thunderclap headaches

A thunderclap headache (TCH) is defined as an excruciating headache which occurs abruptly like "thunder," reaches its maximum point in less than a minute, and should be considered a medical emergency. Below, we present the clinical case of a 49-year-old Colombian patient who developed a thunderclap headache as the initial sign of pituitary apoplexy. He progressed satisfactorily, with no evidence of sequelae, highlighting the early diagnosis of a potentially fatal entity. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2336).

La cefalea tipo trueno (CT) es considerada un dolor de cabeza intolerable, el cual se produce de forma abrupta como un "trueno", alcanza su punto máximo en menos de un minuto después de su aparición, y debe considerarse una emergencia médica. A continuación presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente colombiano, de 49 años quien presenta cefalea tipo trueno como manifestación inicial de apoplejía hipofisaria, con adecuada evolución y sin evidencia secuelar, resaltando el diagnóstico temprano en una entidad potencialmente mortal. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2336).

Apoplexy in pregnancy

Headache during pregnancy is a common complaint in the emergency room. In pregnancy, pituitary disorders include both hormone active and hormone inactive tumors. Apoplexy may be the first clinical presentation of an underlying pituitary tumor. Red flag signs of presenting symptoms, to be assessed for identifying life-threatening etiology. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been passed for pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is the gold standard investigation. The mainstay of management is the initiation of steroids. Transnasal transsphenoidal removal of the tumor is the definitive treatment that requires a multidisciplinary approach. The indications of surgery are the presence of symptoms due to compression and endocrine abnormalities; however, gestational period should be taken into consideration. We report a case of headache in antenatal women who presented to our emergency room diagnosed with pituitary apoplexy managed with steroids and early surgery, and discharged with good clinical outcome. We recommend a methodical approach to common symptoms that assist in diagnosing forgotten etiology.

Apoplejía hipofisaria durante el embarazo: reporte de un caso / Pituitary apoplexy during pregnancy: A case report

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: La apoplejía hipofisaria es un infarto o hemorragia súbita en un tumor o tejido sano de la glándula pituitaria. El 80% de los casos es en pacientes con un adenoma hipofisario. El cuadro clínico se caracteriza por: cefalea, alteraciones visuales, náuseas y vómito; además, insuficiencia hipofisaria, que puede ser potencialmente mortal para la madre y el feto. El tratamiento conservador incluye analgésicos, corticosteroides y agonistas dopaminérgicos en caso de prolactinoma. El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección es la resección transesfenoidal. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 35 años, con antecedentes de tres embarazos, un aborto y prolactinoma diagnosticado a los 22 años, en tratamiento con cabergolina. Acudió a consulta debido a cefalea a las 17 semanas de embarazo que se exacerbó a las 28.4 semanas. En la resonancia magnética se observó que la hipófisis medía 17 x 12 x 7 mm, con datos de hemorragia subaguda; con base en ello se diagnosticó: apoplejía hipofisaria. Se indicó tratamiento conservador con antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, opioides y corticosteroides; sin embargo, ante el deterioro del cuadro clínico se decidió la resección transeptal-transesfenoidal endoscópica del adenoma hipofisiario, a las 30.5 semanas de embarazo. La paciente evidenció una mejoría significativa y permaneció asintomática hasta la finalización del embarazo a las 37.5 semanas. CONCLUSIONES: Si bien la apoplejía hipofisaria es de baja incidencia en el embarazo se torna en un factor de riesgo de muerte; por ello, el ginecoobstetra debe tener conocimiento de las posibles implicaciones en el embarazo, ofrecer atención multidisciplinaria y considerar que el tratamiento quirúrgico es una opción segura en el embarazo.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Pituitary apoplexy is a sudden infarction or hemorrhage in a tumor or healthy tissue of the pituitary gland. Eighty percent of cases are in patients with a pituitary adenoma. The clinical picture is characterized by headache, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, and pituitary insufficiency, which can be life-threatening for the mother and fetus. Conservative treatment includes analgesics, corticosteroids and dopaminergic agonists in case of prolactinoma. The surgical treatment of choice is transsphenoidal resection. CLINICAL CASE: 35-year-old female patient with a history of three pregnancies, one miscarriage and prolactinoma diagnosed at 22 years of age, under treatment with cabergoline. She came for consultation due to headache at 17 weeks of pregnancy that was exacerbated at 28.4 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the pituitary gland measured 17 x 12 x 7 mm, with evidence of subacute hemorrhage; based on this, a diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy was made. Conservative treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and corticosteroids was indicated; however, due to the deterioration of the clinical picture, endoscopic transseptal-transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma was decided at 30.5 weeks of pregnancy. The patient showed significant improvement and remained asymptomatic until the end of pregnancy at 37.5 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Although pituitary apoplexy is of low incidence in pregnancy, it becomes a risk factor for death; therefore, the obstetrician/gynecologist should be aware of the possible implications in pregnancy, offer multidisciplinary care and consider that surgical treatment is a safe option in pregnancy.

Pituitary Apoplexy, Meningitis and Cerebral Infarction - A Perplexing Trifecta

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical diagnosis comprising a sudden onset of headache, neurological deficits, endocrine disturbances, altered consciousness, visual loss, or ophthalmoplegia. However, clinically, the presentation of PA is extremely variable and occasionally fatal. While meningitis and cerebral infarcts are themselves serious diseases, they are rarely seen as manifestations of PA and are exceedingly rare when present together. We present the case of a 20-year-old male with a rapid progression of symptoms of meningitis, PA and stroke. The present article seeks to emphasize a rare manifestation of PA with an attempt to understand the intricacies of its evaluation and management.

Pituitary Apoplexy Presenting as Isolated Bilateral Oculomotor Nerve Palsy

PURPOSE: To report a case of pituitary apoplexy presenting as isolated bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old male presented with bilateral ptosis and acute severe headaches for 6 days. He underwent head surgery and bilateral vitrectomy 12 years prior to his visit because of ocular and head trauma. He mentioned that previous visual acuities in both eyes were not good. The initial corrected visual acuity was finger counting in the right eye and 20/500 in the left eye. Ocular motility testing revealed the limitation of adduction, supraduction, and infraduction with complete bilateral ptosis in both eyes, and his left pupil was dilated. He was diagnosed with an isolated bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated pituitary gland hemorrhage with a tumor, which was suspicious of pituitary apoplexy. The patient was treated intravenous with 1.0 g methylprednisolone to prevent the corticotropic deficiency. In addition, he underwent surgical decompression using a navigation-guided transsphenoidal approach and aspiration biopsy. He was confirmed with pituitary adenoma using a pathological examination. The patient's ocular movements began to dramatically improve by the third day postoperatively. At 4 months postoperative follow-up, his ocular movement and double vision were completely recovered. CONCLUSIONS: This was a rare case of pituitary apoplexy with bilateral isolated oculomotor nerve palsy, which was the first report in the Republic of Korea. A full recovery was achieved after early surgical treatment.

Extensive Pituitary Apoplexy after Chemotherapy in a Patient with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Surgery, anticoagulation therapy, pregnancy, and hormone treatments, such as bromocriptine, are well-characterized precipitating factors for pituitary apoplexy. However, whether cytotoxic chemotherapy for systemic cancer could cause pituitary apoplexy has not been investigated. Here, we present a case of a 41-year-old woman who developed a severe headache with decreased visual acuity after intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapy to treat metastatic breast cancer. Preoperative neuroimaging revealed pituitary adenoma with necrosis. Operative findings and pathologic examination concluded extensive necrosis with a small intratumoral hemorrhage in a pre-existing pituitary adenoma. We reviewed two additional previously published cases of pituitary apoplexy after systemic chemotherapy and suggest that cytotoxic chemotherapy may induce pituitary apoplexy.

Apoplejía hipofisaria, presentación de dos casos clínicos y revisión del tema / Pituitary apoplexy, presentation of two clinical cases and review of the subject

Antecedentes: la apoplejía hipofisaria es un síndrome clínico agudo, potencialmente fatal, que acontece como complicación de un adenoma hipofisario; presenta una complejidad diagnóstica, y puede imitar numerosos procesos intracraneales. Objetivo: realizar la revisión bibliográfica del tema, y describir dos casos clínicos, dada la poca frecuencia de presentación de la enfermedad y su complejidad diagnóstica. Desarrollo: caso 1, paciente masculino, de 52 años con antecedentes patológicos de hipertensión arterial y macroadenoma hipofisario no funcionante. Durante su seguimiento por Neurocirugía se detectó hiperprolactinemia, por lo que se inició tratamiento con bromocriptina a dosis progresiva, lo cual desencadenó cuadro agudo no definido. Tres meses después presentó nuevo cuadro agudo, que se diagnosticó como apoplejía hipofisaria; caso 2, paciente masculino, de 49 años, con antecedente de hipertensión arterial con tratamiento irregular. Fue ingresado en servicio de terapia intermedia con diagnóstico presuntivo de meningoencefalitis, y por estudios complementarios se llega al diagnóstico de apoplejía hipofisaria. Ambos casos llevaron tratamiento quirúrgico, con evolución favorable. Conclusiones: la apoplejía hipofisaria es una enfermedad que se presenta con poca frecuencia, por lo tanto, es importante la sospecha diagnóstica para una temprana identificación y tratamiento de la enfermedad(AU)

Background: pituitary apoplexy is an acute clinical syndrome, potentially fatal, that occurs as a complication of a pituitary adenoma. It presents a diagnostic complexity, and it can mimic numerous intracranial processes. Objective: to carry out the bibliographic review of the subject, and to describe two clinical cases given the infrequency of presentation of the disease and its diagnostic complexity. Development: case 1, male patient, 52 years old with pathological history of arterial hypertension and non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma. During follow-up by Neurosurgery, hyperprolactinemia was detected, so treatment with bromocriptine was started with a progressive dose, which triggered undefined acute symptoms. Three months later he presented new acute symptoms, which was diagnosed as pituitary apoplexy. Case 2, male patient, 49 years old, with a history of arterial hypertension under irregular treatment. He was admitted in the intermediate therapy service with a presumptive diagnosis of meningoencephalitis, and by complementary studies the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy was reached. Both cases led to surgical treatment, with favorable evolution. Conclusions: pituitary apoplexy is a disease that occurs infrequently, therefore, diagnostic suspicion is important for early identification and treatment of the disease(AU)

Síndrome meningeo como manifestación de apoplejia hipofisiaria, análisis prospectivo de siete casos / Meningeal syndrome as manifestation of pituitary apoplexy, prospective analysis of seven cases

Introducción: la apoplejía hipofisiaria es una grave pero poco frecuente emergencia médico -neuroquirúrgica, con una incidencia global reportada del 1 por ciento a 2 por ciento Es causado por una hemorragia o infarto en relación a la glándula pituitaria, pudiendo existir extravasación de contenido necrótico o hemorrágico al espacio subaracnoideo, manifestándose como un síndrome meníngeo aséptico o hemorrágico. Sin embargo, su frecuencia no está estudiada. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un registro prospectivo entre enero de 2013 y agosto de 2014, para el estudio de líquido céfalo raquídeo, en pacientes con diagnóstico clínico- imagenológico de apoplejía hipofisiaria. Además un registró detallado de las manifestaciones clínicas y de laboratorio. Resultados: En este período se reclutaron 8 casos con apoplejía hipofisiaria clínica, de los cuales 7 fueron incluidos, siendo excluido un paciente por rechazar su participación en el estudio. De los 7 pacientes restantes, se evidenciaron signos meníngeos clínicos en el 86 por ciento (6/7), confirmando alteraciones del estudio cito-químico en todos ellos. En cada caso se descartó patología infecciosa o vascular como etiología. Conclusión: Si bien el debut de una apoplejía hipofisiaria como un síndrome meníngeo aséptico o hemorragia subaracnoidea, se encuentra documentado como casos anecdóticos, nuestros resultados apuntan a que sería una manifestación frecuente e importante a considerar para un adecuado diagnóstico diferencial y monitoreo de complicaciones infrecuentes.

Introduction: pituitary apoplexy is a serious but rare neurosurgical emergency, with an overall reported incidence of 1 percent to 2 percent. It is caused by bleeding or infarction related to the pituitary gland, there may be necrotic or hemorrhagic extravasation content to the subarachnoid space, manifesting as an aseptic o hemorrhagic meningeal syndrome. However, their frequency is not studied. Material and Methods: A prospective registry between January 2013 and August 2014, for the study of cerebro spinal fluid in patients with clinical and imaging diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy was performed. In addition, a detailed analysis of the clinical sintoms and laboratory was recorded. Results: In this period, 8 cases with clinical pituitary apoplexy were recluted, of which 7 were included, being excluded from a patient who refuses to participate in the study. Of the remaining 7 patients,clinical meningeal signs were evident in 86 percent (6/7), confirming alterations cyto-chemical study all of them. In each case infectious or vascular pathology was ruled out as a cause. Conclusion: While the debut of a pituitary apoplexy as an aseptic meningeal syndrome or subarachnoid hemorrhage, is documented as anecdotal cases, our results would suggest that is a common and important manifestation, to consider an appropriate differential diagnosis and monitoring of rare complications.

Surgery for giant pituitary adenomas apoplexy complicated with obstructive hydrocephalus / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the surgical strategy for giant pituitary adenomas apoplexy complicated with obstructive hydrocephalus.Methods Twenty-three patients with giant apoplectic pituitary adenomas associated with obstructive hydrocephalus,admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to March 2015,were chosen;their clinical and surgery data were retrospectively summarized.Results Transsphenoidal microsurgery was conducted in 22 patients and craniotomy in one.All tumors showed cystic degeneration and soft texture.Seven patients had faint yellow or hyaline cyst fluid and 16 had soybean sauce or dark red cyst fluid.Near-total tumor resection was achieved in 2 patients (8.7％),subtotal resection in 16 (69.6％),and partial resection in 5 (21.7％).Twenty-three patients were followed up for 4-38 months,one patient accepted repeated operation for residual rumors,5 had postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy,and no other patients showed re-growth or recurrence.Postoperatively,there was no long-term cerebrospinal fluid leakage and diabetes insipidus,with hydrocephalus disappeared in 100％,visual improved in 60.9％,and headache relieved in 81.8％.Conclusions Pituitary adenoma presented with apoplexy and concurrent obstructive hydrocephalus is often soft.Transsphenoidal microsurgery is the preferred safe and effective method which can relieve hydrocephalus and achieve improved clinical symptoms.

Apoplejía tumoral pituitaria / Pituitary tumor apoplexy

La apoplejía tumoral pituitaria es un síndrome infrecuente que resulta del infarto y/o hemorragia espontánea de un adenoma pituitario preexistente. Ya que el evento primario involucra el adenoma, este síndrome debe ser nombrado como apoplejía tumoral pituitaria y no como apoplejía pituitaria. El aumento súbito en la presión de los contenidos de la silla turca da como resultado una cefalea de inicio agudo (puede ser incluso una "cefalea en trueno") de intensidad severa, alteraciones visuales y compromiso en la función pituitaria. El diagnóstico se basa en una alta sospecha clínica, imagen por resonancia magnética y medición de hormonas hipofisiarias en sangre. El tratamiento se basa en medidas de soporte (líquidos intravenosos y corticoides) y en casos sin buena respuesta o con deterioro neurológico, descompresión de silla turca. A continuación presentamos el caso de un adenoma previamente no diagnosticado que debutó como apolejía tumoral pituitaria. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 249-253).

Pituitary tumor apoplexy is an infrequent condition resulting from infarction and/or spontaneous bleeding from a pre-existing pituitary adenoma. This entity requires the prior existence of an adenoma in order to be named as pituitary tumor apoplexy, otherwise, it should be named pituitary apoplexy. The sudden increase in pressure of the sella turcica's contents results in a clinical syndrome characterized by headache (which can be "thunderclap headache"), visual disturbances and hypopituitarism. Diagnosis is not always straight forward and requires high clinical suspicion in addition to magnetic resonance imaging and measurement of serum pituitary hormones. Treatment is mainly based on supportive measures (intravenous fluids and steroids) and surgical decompression in those cases with no response to medical treatment and progressive neurological impairment. We report the case of a patient with a previously unknown pituitary adenoma presenting as a tumor apoplexy. (Acta Med Colomb 2015; 40: 249-253).

Pituitary Apoplexy Following Mitral Valvuloplasty

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by the sudden enlargement of a pituitary adenoma secondary to hemorrhage or infarction. Pituitary apoplexy after cardiac surgery is a very rare perioperative complication. Factors associated with open heart surgery that may lead to pituitary apoplexy include hemodynamic instability during cardiopulmonary bypass and systemic heparinization. We report a case of pituitary apoplexy after mitral valvuloplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass. After early pituitary tumor resection and hormonal replacement therapy, the patient made a full recovery.

An investigation on clinical typing of pituitary apoplexy based on the analysis of pathologic, image, and clinical manifestations / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

[Summary] Sixty-one patients suffering from pituitary apoplexy( PA) were mainly diagnosed according to pathologic findings, and were collected from case record, pathology, and MRI databases. They were classified into 4 types according to the clinical condition: the insidious type was characterized with only positive pathological findings;the asymptomatic type had both positive pathologic and MRI findings; the subacute type had PA associated symptoms longer than 2 weeks; and the acute type had PA associated symptoms for 2 weeks or less. The latter 2 types had positive pathological and MRI findings additionally. The basic lesions, acute or chronic symptoms, endocrinopathies and MRI findings were compared among 4 types. Results showed as followed. In all patients, there were headache(60. 7% ), blurred vision(55. 7% ), vomiting(21. 3% ), and dizziness(14. 8% ). Apoplexy associated symptoms comprised severe headache (24. 6% ), rapid vision loss (29. 5% ), and blepharopotosis or diplopia (9. 83% ). Insidious, asymptomatic, subacute, and acute types were composed of 15 (24. 6% ), 9 (14. 8% ), 19 (31. 1% ), and 18 (29. 5% ) cases, respectively. Aging and intracranial space-occupying symptoms as first complaint showed increasing trend from mild to severe types(both P<0. 05), while in chronic course it showed decreasing trend(P<0. 05). Acute massive symptoms(P<0. 01), and non-functional tumor(P<0. 01) in the 2 clinical types were much more frequent than in the two mild types. Half or more pituitary-target glands showed impaired functions in each type, and the impairment showed increasing trend through mild to severe types(P<0. 01). The present study provided a brief typing system in order to expand PA concept to a wider span covering various conditions. Some differences in tumor composition and endocrinopathies existed among the four types.

Acute pituitary apoplexy treatment through endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVETo discuss the operative techniques of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and perioperative management for treatment of acute pituitar y apoplexy (PA).METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 51 pathologically diagnosed acute PA after transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal resection at the TianJin HuanHu hospital between January 2000 and December 2013. There were 28 males and 23 females,with median age of 47 and disease course of 4h-7d.The typical clinical manifestations included headache, visual interference and pituitary dysfunction. CT scan, MRI scan and endocrinological examinations were performed in all cases before operation. Glucocorticoids were used during perioperatve period, The postoperation symptoms and the results follow-up visit after operation were recorded. RESULTS The tumors were totally removed in 42 cases and sub-totally removed in 9 cases without operative death and serious complications. The follow-up period was 1 year to 14 years. Of 47 patients with headaches before the operation, all patients were resolved after the operation; In 38 patients with sight disturbance before the operation,the sight was recovered very well in 34 patients after the operation. The visual field was recovered very well in all patients. Of 28 patients with endocrine disturbance before the operation, 22 were improved in endocrine symptom after the operation. No patient recurred.CONCLUSION The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal operation is safe and effective for treatment of acute PA.Appropriate perioperative management is important for the success of operation.

Bilateral acute visual loss from Rathke's cleft cyst apoplexy in a patient with dengue fever / Perda visual aguda secundária a apoplexia de cisto de Rathke em paciente com dengue

Hemorrhagic complications of optic pathway diseases are extremely rare causes of acute visual loss associated with dengue fever. In this paper we report a patient presenting with dengue fever and bilateral acute visual loss caused by chiasmal compression due to Rathke's cleft cyst apoplexy. Considering the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to visual recovery, apoplexy of sellar and suprasellar tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute visual loss and dengue fever.

Complicações hemorrágicas de doenças da via óptica são causas extremamente raras de perda aguda de visão em pacientes com dengue. Nesse trabalho, documentamos um caso de paciente com dengue apresentando perda de visão bilateral aguda secundária a compressão quiasmática por quadro hemorrágico em cisto de Rathke. Considerando a importância do diagnóstico e tratamento precoces para um bom prognóstico visual, a apoplexia de tumores da região selar e suprasselar deve ser incluída como um raro, porém importante, diagnóstico diferencial de perda visual aguda nesses pacientes.

A Case of Rathke Cleft Cyst Apoplexy / 계명의대학술지

Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign epithelial lesions of the sellar and suprasellar region. Most RCCs remain clinically silent throughout an individual's life. Symptomatic patients with RCCs manifest headaches, endocrinopathies, and visual disturbances secondary to parasellar extension. Rarely, RCCs can present in a manner similar to pituitary tumor apoplexy. One such case is reported herein. This 53-year-old man presented with acute headache, vomiting, and partial hypopituitarism. Surgical drainage of the cyst contents via a transnasal route confirmed the diagnosis of RCC and pituitary infarction.

A Case of Unusual Pituitary Apoplexy Presented as Aseptic Meningitis / 대한임상신경생리학회지

We encountered a case of pituitary apoplexy who presented with isolated headache and vomiting without visual disturbance or ophthalmoplegia. The cerebrospinal fluid examination was compatible with aseptic meningitis. A computed tomography revealed slightly high density in the pituitary fossa and suprasella area, but the signal change was very faint. Our case suggests that clinicians should take into account the possibility of pituitary apoplexy without visual disturbance or ophthalmoplegia, when aseptic meningitis is suspected.