View source for Pituitary apoplexy (patient information)

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{{Pituitary apoplexy (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pituitary apoplexy|here]]'''

{{CMG}}; {{AE}} [[Varun Kumar]] M.B.B.S.; {{Ochuko}}

==Overview==
Pituitary infarction is the death of an area of tissue in the pituitary gland, a small gland joined to the hypothalamus (part of the brain). The pituitary produces many of the hormones that control essential body processes.

==What are the symptoms?==
Pituitary infarction usually has a short period of symptoms (acute), but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms usually include:

*Severe [[headache]]
*Paralysis of the eye muscles, causing double vision ([[ophthalmoplegia]])
*Low [[blood pressure]], [[nausea]], and [[vomit]]ing from [[acute adrenal insufficiency]]

Less commonly, pituitary dysfunction may appear more slowly. In [[Sheehan syndrome]], for example, the first symptom may be a failure to produce milk caused by a lack of the hormone [[prolactin]].

Over time, problems with other pituitary hormones may develop, causing symptoms of the following conditions:

*[[Growth hormone]] deficiency
**[[Fatigue]]
**Increased fat in the abdomen
**Lack of energy
*[[Hypoadrenalism]] (if not already present or treated)
**Inability to deal with physical stress
**[[Nausea]]
*[[Hypogonadism]]
**Absent periods ([[amenorrhea]]) in women
**[[Sexual dysfunction]] and loss of muscle mass in men
*[[Hypothyroidism]]
**Cold intolerance
**[[Constipation]]
**[[Depressed mood]]
**[[Dry skin]]
**Fatigue
**Hair or skin changes
**[[Hoarseness]]
**Menstrual changes
**Mental slowing
**[[Weight gain]]

When the [[posterior pituitary]] is involved (rare), symptoms may include:

*Failure of the [[uterus]] to contract as needed to give birth to a baby (in women)
*Failure to produce breast milk (in women)
*Uncontrolled urination

==What are the causes?==
Pituitary infarction is most commonly caused by bleeding due to a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary. When this bleeding occurs in a woman during or immediately after childbirth, it is called [[Sheehan syndrome]].

==Who is at highest risk?==
Risk factors for pituitary infarction include:

*Bleeding disorders
*[[Diabetes]]
*Head injury
*Radiation to the pituitary gland
*Use of a breathing machine

==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of chronic pituitary insufficiency.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of acute pituitary infarction, including:

*Eye weakness
*[[Headache (patient information)|Headache]]
*Low blood pressure (which can cause fainting)
*[[Nausea]]
*[[Vomiting]]

Be especially concerned if you develop these symptoms and you have already been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.

==Diagnosis==
Signs of acute pituitary infarction may include:

*Low blood pressure
*Visual field defects

Signs of chronic pituitary insufficiency include:

*Growth hormone deficiency
**Loss of muscle mass
**Problems with fat metabolism (dyslipidemia)
*[[Adrenal insufficiency (patient information)|Hypoadrenalism]]
**Low blood pressure
**Poor response to stress and infection
*[[Hypothyroidism (patient information)|Hypothyroidism]]
**Delayed reflexes

Tests may include:

*Bone density test
*Eye exams
*MRI or CT scan

Blood tests will be done to check levels of:

*ACTH
*Cholesterol
*Cortisol
*FSH
*Growth hormone
*LH
*Prolactin
*Somatomedin C (IGF-1)

==Treatment options==
Treatment for acute infarction may require surgery to relieve pressure on the pituitary and improve vision symptoms. Severe cases need emergency surgery.

Immediate treatment with adrenal replacement hormones (glucocorticoids) is essential. Other hormones will be replaced, including:

*Sex hormones ([[estrogen]]/[[testosterone]])
*[[Thyroid hormone]]

Evidence is also growing for the need to replace [[growth hormone]].

==Where to find medical care for Pituitary apoplexy?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Pituitary apoplexy}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Pituitary apoplexy]

==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Acute pituitary infarction can be life-threatening. The outlook is good for people who have chronic deficiency that is diagnosed and treated.

==Possible complications==
Complications of untreated pituitary infarction can include:

*[[Adrenal crisis]]
*[[Vision loss]]

If other missing hormones are not replaced, you may develop problems related to [[hypothyroidism]] and [[hypogonadism]].

==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001167.htm

[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Endocrinology]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Obstetrics]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Patient information]]

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