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.

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).

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.

Postpartum headache after epidural anaesthesia: Who to blame?

INTRODUCTION: Epidural analgesia is considered the preferred analgesic choice during labour. Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is considered a potential complication of this analgesic technique and is a frequently hypothesis for any headache occurring after delivery. It is essential that anaesthetists and obstetricians are familiar with other possible differential diagnosis for postpartum headache (PPH). CASE DESCRIPTION: 37-year-old female presented after delivery with intense occipital pulsatile headache associated with neck radiation, nausea and vomiting, hemodynamically stable and normal neurologic physical examination. Abnormalities in thyroid hormone levels were found. CT-scan findings suggested pituitary apoplexy. DISCUSSION: There are many differential diagnoses for PPH and some are rarely considered, such as pituitary apoplexy. It is essential to differentiate signs and symptoms of each diagnosis, since many of them overlap. CONCLUSION: Not all postpartum headaches are PDPH and the first suspected diagnosis may not always be accurate.

Aploplejía hipofisaria como presentación de adenoma hipofisario

Mujer de 55 años que acudió por cefalea súbita intensa, ptosis palpebral izquierda asociada a disminución de la agudeza visual a predominio del ojo izquierdo; además, los exámenes de laboratorio evidenciaron hiponatremia más hipopituitarismo. La resonancia magnética cerebral mostró un adenoma pituitario con gran componente necrótico que posteriormente fue confirmado en el estudio anatomo patológico. Se concluyó en una apoplejía hipofisaria como forma de presentación de un adenoma hipofisario sin diagnóstico previo, con buena evolución de los síntomas visuales después de la cirugía.

Postpartum headache after epidural anaesthesia: Who to blame? / Cefalea posparto tras anestesia epidural: ¿a quién culpar?

INTRODUCTION: Epidural analgesia is considered the preferred analgesic choice during labour. Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is considered a potential complication of this analgesic technique and is a frequently hypothesis for any headache occurring after delivery. It is essential that anaesthetists and obstetricians are familiar with other possible differential diagnosis for postpartum headache (PPH). CASE DESCRIPTION: 37-year-old female presented after delivery with intense occipital pulsatile headache associated with neck radiation, nausea and vomiting, hemodynamically stable and normal neurologic physical examination. Abnormalities in thyroid hormone levels were found. CT-scan findings suggested pituitary apoplexy. DISCUSSION: There are many differential diagnoses for PPH and some are rarely considered, such as pituitary apoplexy. It is essential to differentiate signs and symptoms of each diagnosis, since many of them overlap. CONCLUSION: Not all postpartum headaches are PDPH and the first suspected diagnosis may not always be accurate.

Apoplejía hipofisaria en posoperatorio inmediato de cirugía cardiaca: a propósito de un caso / Postoperative pituitary apoplexy: case report after a cardiac surgery

Pituitary apoplexy is caused by ischemia or hemorrhage and is considered a medical emergency. A percentage of undiagnosed pituitary adenomas may be diagnosed in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. The clinical picture is a consequence of the increase in pressure which causes compression on cerebral structures (optic chiasm, cranial nerves) and hormonal deficit. We present a clinical case of a 69-year-old Caucasian male, who debuted with a clinical syndrome of the left cavernous sinus in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Clinical and imaging studies (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. The condition was solved satisfactorily with replacement therapy. She underwent urgery sixth days later due to persistence of visual symptoms.

La apoplejía hipofisaria se produce por un infarto o una hemorragia en dicha glándula y se considera una emergencia médica. Un porcentaje de adenomas hipofisarios no diagnosticados debutan clínicamente así, pudiéndose producir en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardiaca. El cuadro clínico es consecuencia del aumento de presión y volumen en el interior de la silla turca, lo que origina compresión de las estructuras cerebrales colindantes (quiasma óptico, silla turca, nervios craneales, etc.) y déficit hormonal. Presentamos un caso clínico de un varón de raza caucásica de 69 años, el cual debuta con un síndrome clínico de seno cavernoso izquierdo en el posoperatorio inmediato de una cirugía cardiaca. La clínica y los estudios de imagen (RMN) confirmaron el diagnóstico de apoplejía hipofisaria. El cuadro se resolvió satisfactoriamente con tratamiento esteroideo sustitutivo y cirugía al sexto día del inicio de los síntomas por persistencia de los síntomas visuales.

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)

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)

[Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary apoplexy]. / Guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la apoplejía hipofisaria.

UNLABELLED: Classic pituitary apoplexy (PA) is an acute, life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by acute hemorrhage and/or infarction of the pituitary gland. PA is considered a neuroendocrinological emergency. However, there is no consensus about the best options for PA diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinical practice guideline with a number of recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of patients with PA based on the medical evidence available, in order to help clinicians involved in their care. METHODS: The clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment of pituitary apoplexy issued in 2006 by the Neuroendocrinology Working Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and the British Clinical Practice Guideline published in 2011 were taken as the basis. The text has been adapted to the format used in most international medical journals. For this, after updated medical literature, the quality of evidence and the strength of the recommendations were evaluated using the system proposed by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy should be considered in all patients with acute severe headache with or without neuro-ophthalmic signs. Patients with PA must undergo a complete history and physical examination. All patients with suspected pituitary apoplexy should have urgent blood samples drawn to test electrolytes, renal function, liver function, coagulation screen, complete blood count, and basal levels of pituitary and peripheral hormones, and to rule out adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Formal visual field assessment should be performed when the patient is clinically stable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging test of choice to confirm diagnosis. Indications for empirical urgent corticosteroid therapy in patients with PA include hemodynamic instability, impaired consciousness, reduced visual acuity, and severe visual field defects. In patients with these severe neuro-ophthalmic signs, surgery should be considered. Surgery should preferably be performed within seven days of the onset of symptoms. Patients with mild and stable signs may be managed conservatively with careful monitoring. Treatment and long-term follow-up of patients with PA should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team consisting, amongst others, of an experienced pituitary neurosurgeon, an ophthalmologist, and an endocrinologist.

Manifestación ocular de un paciente con apoplejía hipofisaria / Ocular Manifestation in a Patient with Pituitary Apoplexy

Se presenta una paciente femenina, de 44 años que debutó con disminución severa de la visión de forma brusca en ambos ojos, oftalmoplejia extrínseca completa del ojo izquierdo, incluyendo ptosis palpebral, y discreto exoftalmos. En ojo derecho oftalmoplejia parcial, no refirió síntomas oftalmológicos previos. No presentó síntomas ni signos neurológicos en el examen físico. Por la resonancia magnética se hizo el diagnóstico de un macro adenoma de hipófisis que produjo una apoplejía hipofisaria por hemorragia intratumoral. Se trasladó al servicio de neurocirugía y se instauró tratamiento con esteroides. Se realizará tratamiento quirúrgico...(AU)

A 44 year-old woman , with sudden and severe impairment of the vision in both eyes, external complete ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and a little exophthalmos in the left eye; and partial ophthalmoplegia in the right eye, without previous ocular and neurological symptoms. Neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance: pituitary macroadenoma with signs of intratumor hemorrhage was diagnosed. The patient was transferred to neurosurgery service with steroids treatment, surgical treatment will be given later...(AU)