Pituitary Abscess Causing Panhypopituitarism in a Patient With Neurobrucellosis: Case Report.

Background/Objective: Pituitary abscess is an uncommon life-threatening disease that could lead to panhypopituitarism. It is important to suspect its prevalence in regions with endemic infectious diseases. Case Report: A 55-year-old man, a farmer, with a background of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, presented with headache, impaired consciousness, and fever that started in February 2023. Initial test results were consistent with neuroinfection. Brain MRI showed ventriculitis; the pituitary gland was heterogeneous with the presence of an 8 × 8 mm abscess. The pituitary hormone axis was evaluated, and it showed results compatible with the results of panhypopituitarism with central hypothyroidism, central hypocortisolism, central hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency. Hormone replacement treatment with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine was started. The Rose Bengal test for Brucella spp. and 2-mercaptoethanol Brucella agglutination test showed positive results. After neurobrucellosis (NB) was diagnosed, antibiotic treatment was commenced. The patient was discharged 6 weeks later and treatment with prednisone, levothyroxine, recombinant somatropin, testosterone, as well as doxycycline, and rifampin was continued for another 4 months. Discussion: NB and pituitary abscess are rare manifestations of brucellosis and are challenging to diagnose due to their nonspecific clinical presentation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. NB diagnosis relies on neurologic symptoms and serological evidence of Brucella infection. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred diagnostic tool for pituitary abscesses. Medical management may be sufficient, while transsphenoidal drainage is not always necessary. Hormonal deficits typically remain permanent. Conclusion: Pituitary abscess could be suspected in patients presenting with symptoms of neuroinfection, panhypopituitarism, and heterogenous image in the magnetic resonance imaging differential diagnosis. Opportune management can lead to reduced mortality and improved recovery of the pituitary hormone function.

Nelson Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Nelson syndrome (NS) is a rare clinical disorder that can occur after total bilateral adrenalectomy (TBA), performed as a treatment for Cushing disease. NS is defined as the accelerated growth of an adrenocorticotropic hormone-producing pituitary adenoma. Our objective is to describe a case of NS and discuss it based on existing knowledge of this syndrome. METHODS: We describe the case of a woman diagnosed with NS at our facility in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran and review published cases of NS. RESULTS: The patient, a 35-year-old woman with Cushing disease, had been diagnosed in 2006 at the endocrinology department in the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran. In 2007, a laparoscopic TBA was performed, and 2 years later, she presented with hyperpigmentation and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels of up to 11 846 pg/mL. NS was suspected, and as magnetic resonance imaging showed macroadenoma, transsphenoidal surgery was performed. The patient remained asymptomatic until 2012, when she presented with a right hemicranial headache, photophobia, and phonophobia. A fresh magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which documented tumor growth. She was referred to the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia, where she underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: NS develops as a complication of TBA, which is used as a treatment of Cushing disease. The main treatment is surgery and radiotherapy.

Idioventricular rhythm and shock after a honeybee sting / Ritmo idioventricular y shock después de un piquete de abeja

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the case of a 19-year-old male presenting with bradycardia and hypotension after a honeybee sting making a review of the literature and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes after a bee sting. Methods: The patient's airway was inspected and secured. Electrocardiogram with an idioventricular rhythm at 41' bpm. Oxygen was administered, an intravenous access was established, and the transcutaneous pacemaker leads were placed on the chest of the patient, then published guidelines management was induced. Results: The EKG showed idioventricular rhythm at a rate of 41 beats/min that resolved to a normal sinus rhythm after treatment. Conclusions: A full and prompt cardiovascular evaluation should be performed in all patients presenting to the emergency department after a bee sting, and published guidelines regarding the management of bradycardia and anaphylaxis should be followed to achieve successful outcomes.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir el caso de un paciente masculino de 19 años que presenta bradicardia e hipotensión después de una picadura de abeja haciendo una revisión de la literatura y fisiopatología de los cambios cardiovasculares y electrocardiográficos después de una picadura de abeja. Métodos: Se inspeccionó y aseguró la vía aérea del paciente. Un rastreo de ECG realizado al ingreso reveló ritmo idioventricular a una ritmo de 41 latidos por minuto. Se administró oxígeno, se estableció un acceso IV y se colocaron los cables del marcapasos transcutáneo en el tórax del paciente, luego se indujo el manejo de las guías publicadas. Resultados: El electrocardiograma mostró un ritmo idioventricular a una frecuencia de 41 latidos por minuto que se resolvió a un ritmo sinusal normal después del tratamiento. Conclusiones: Se debe realizar una evaluación cardiovascular completa y rápida en todos los pacientes que se presentan al departamento de emergencias después de una picadura de abeja, y se deben seguir las pautas publicadas sobre el manejo de la bradicardia y la anafilaxia para lograr resultados exitosos.

Idioventricular rhythm and shock after a honeybee sting.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the case of a 19-year-old male presenting with bradycardia and hypotension after a honeybee sting making a review of the literature and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes after a bee sting. METHODS: The patient's airway was inspected and secured. Electrocardiogram with an idioventricular rhythm at 41' bpm. Oxygen was administered, an intravenous access was established, and the transcutaneous pacemaker leads were placed on the chest of the patient, then published guidelines management was induced. RESULTS: The EKG showed idioventricular rhythm at a rate of 41 beats/min that resolved to a normal sinus rhythm after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A full and prompt cardiovascular evaluation should be performed in all patients presenting to the emergency department after a bee sting, and published guidelines regarding the management of bradycardia and anaphylaxis should be followed to achieve successful outcomes.

OBJETIVO: Describir el caso de un paciente masculino de 19 años que presenta bradicardia e hipotensión después de una picadura de abeja haciendo una revisión de la literatura y fisiopatología de los cambios cardiovasculares y electrocardiográficos después de una picadura de abeja. MÉTODOS: Se inspeccionó y aseguró la vía aérea del paciente. Un rastreo de ECG realizado al ingreso reveló ritmo idioventricular a una ritmo de 41 latidos por minuto. Se administró oxígeno, se estableció un acceso IV y se colocaron los cables del marcapasos transcutáneo en el tórax del paciente, luego se indujo el manejo de las guías publicadas. RESULTADOS: El electrocardiograma mostró un ritmo idioventricular a una frecuencia de 41 latidos por minuto que se resolvió a un ritmo sinusal normal después del tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Se debe realizar una evaluación cardiovascular completa y rápida en todos los pacientes que se presentan al departamento de emergencias después de una picadura de abeja, y se deben seguir las pautas publicadas sobre el manejo de la bradicardia y la anafilaxia para lograr resultados exitosos.

Quality of life is significantly impaired in both secretory and non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with pituitary adenomas in comparison with healthy Mexican population QoL scores. DESIGN & MEASUREMENTS: Cross-sectional study using the short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) in 175 patients with pituitary adenomas grouped by adenoma subtype and disease activity, and compared them with the healthy Mexican population normative QoL scores. PATIENTS: A total of 44 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), 48 with acromegaly, 53 with prolactinomas and 30 with Cushing disease (CD) were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Mental and physical components scores (MCS & PCS) of SF-36 questionnaire were lower in patients with active disease in all adenoma subtypes (P < 0.03). A significant negative relationship between prolactin levels and MCS (r = -0.30, P < 0.01) and PCS (r = -0.41, P < 0.01) were found in prolactinomas. Patients with CD showed 24 hours urine-free cortisol levels negatively correlated with MCS (r = -0.43, P < 0.01) but not with PCS. No significant correlation was found between IGF-1 ULN and QoL scores in acromegaly. NFPA patients had lower QoL scores than patients with controlled CD, acromegaly or prolactinoma (P < 0.02). Active CD and prolactinoma have lower QoL scores in comparison of NFPA (P < 0.05). Having an adenoma, secretory or non-functioning, decrease QoL scores in comparison of results in the healthy Mexican population register. Using an adjusted-multivariate model, we confirmed that disease activity in all secretory adenomas is an independent risk factor, reducing SF-36 scores significantly. CONCLUSION: Activity in all secretory pituitary adenomas' patients decrease mental and physical QoL. However, independently of disease activity, secretory and NFPA significantly decrease QoL in comparison with healthy Mexican population QoL register.