Pituitary apoplexy in the aftermath of a SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case series from Amiens University Hospital.
Eur J Endocrinol
; 187(3): K19-K25, 2022 Sep 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1963085
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of pituitary apoplexy (PA) following a SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described in several countries. Here, we describe a case series of PA occurring in the aftermath of a SARS-CoV-2 infection to alert physicians about possible neuro-endocrinological damage caused by the virus that can lead to visual sequelae and hypopituitarism. Design andmethods:
We retrospectively identified all the adult patients treated at Amiens University Hospital between March 2020 and May 2021 for PA confirmed by cerebral imaging and following an RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results:
Eight cases (six women, two men) occurred between March 2020 and May 2021 and were reviewed in this study. The mean age at diagnosis was 67.5 ± 9.8 years. Only one patient had a 'known' non-functional pituitary macroadenoma. The most common symptom of PA was a sudden headache. Brain imaging was typical in all cases. Only two patients required decompression surgery, whereas the others were managed conservatively. The clinical outcome was favorable for all patients but without recovery of their pituitary deficiencies. There was no diabetes insipidus.Conclusion:
This case series, the largest in the literature, reinforces the strength, consistency, and coherence of the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PA. Our study provides support for the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may be a new precipitating factor for PA. It is essential that practitioners be alerted about possible pituitary disease due to the virus so that such patients are recognized and appropriately managed, hence improving their prognosis.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pituitary Neoplasms
/
Pituitary Apoplexy
/
COVID-19
/
Hypopituitarism
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Eur J Endocrinol
Journal subject:
Endocrinology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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