Pituitary apoplexy differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Pituitary apoplexy must be differentiated from other diseases that cause severe headache such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, intracranial mass, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, intracranial venous thrombosis, migraine, head injury and lymphocytic hypophysitis.

Differentiating Pituitary apoplexy From Other Diseases

Pituitary apoplexy should be differentiated from other diseases causing severe headache for example:

Disease	Symptoms			Gold Standard	CT/MRI	Other Investigation Findings
	Headache		Other features
	Onset	Characterstics
Pituiutary apoplexy	Sudden	Severe headache	Double vision Nausea and vomiting Sudden decreased level of consciousness	MRI	CT scan without contrast is the initial test of choice. Pituitary hemorrhage on CT presents as a hyper-dense lesion. MRI is done in cases of inconclusive CT.	Blood tests may be done to check levels of ACTH, cholesterol, cortisol ,growth hormone, LH, prolactin and somatomedin C (IGF-1).
Subarachnoid hemorrhage	Sudden	Severe headache Thunderclap Described as the worst headache of life	Double vision Nausea and vomiting Symptoms of meningeal irritation Sudden decreased level of consciousness	Digital subtraction angiography	The modality of choice for diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage is noncontrast head computed tomography (CT), with or without lumbar puncture.[1] CT shows hyperattenuating material filling the subarachnoid space.	Lumbar puncture (LP) is necessary when there is a strong suspicion of subarachnoid hemorrhage. LP will show: Elevated opening pressure Elevated red blood cell (RBC) Xanthochromia
Meningitis	Sudden	Headache is associated with: Fever Neck stiffness	Photophobia    Phonophobia  Irritability Altered mental status	Lumbar puncture for CSF	CT scan of the head may be performed before LP to determine the risk of herniation.	Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation in combination with CSF analysis. CSF analysis is the investigation of choice. For more information on CSF analysis in meningitis please click here.
Intracranial mass	Gradual	Morning headache	Nausea Vomiting Change in mental status Seizures Focal neurological deficits	MRI	CT or MRI is the initial test to detect intracranial lesions (ring enhancing lesions). These imaging tests determine the location of intracranial mass lesion(s) and help in guiding therapy.	Biopsy of the lesion may be done to identify the nature of the lesion such as: Tumor Abscess X- ray of the skull is a non specific test, but useful if any of the lesions are calcified.
Cerebral hemorrhage	Sudden	Rapidly progressing headache	Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) Focal neurological deficits	CT without contrast (differentiate ischemic stroke from hemorrhagic stroke.)	CT is very sensitive for identifying acute hemorrhage which appears as hyperattenuating clot. Gradient echo and T2 susceptibility-weighted MRI are as sensitive as CT for detection of acute hemorrhage and are more sensitive for identification of prior hemorrhage.	PT/ INR and aPTT should be checked to rule out coagulopathy.
Intracranial venous thrombosis	Gradual	Diffuse headache Headache can be the only symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis	Focal neurological deficits Seizures Depressed level of consciousness	Digital subtraction angiography	The classic finding of sinus thrombosis on unenhanced CT images is a hyperattenuating thrombus in the occluded sinus. CT and MRI may identify Cerebral edema and venous infarction may be apparent.	CT venography detects the thrombus, computed tomography with radiocontrast in the venous phase (CT venography or CTV) has a detection rate that in some regards exceeds that of MRI. Cerebral angiography may demonstrate smaller clots, and obstructed veins may give the "corkscrew appearance".
Migraine	Sudden	Severe to moderate headache One-sided Pulsating Lasts between several hours to three days.	Nausea and vomiting Preceding aura Photophobia Phonophobia	---	CT and MRI may be needed to rule out other suspected possible causes of headache.	Migraine is a clinical diagnosis that does not require any laboratory tests. Laboratory tests may be ordered to rule out any suspected coexistent metabolic problems.
Head injury	Sudden	Dull Throbbing One sided or all around	Confusion Drowsiness Personality change Seizures Nausea and vomiting Loss of consciousness Lucid interval	CT scan without contrast	CT scan is the first test performed and identifies cerebral hemorrhage (appears as hyperattenuating clot) following head injury. MRI is more sensitive, takes more time and is done in patients with symptoms unexplained by CT scan.	The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool for measuring degree of unconsciousness and is a useful tool for determining severity of injury. The Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale is used in young children.
Lymphocytic hypophysitis	Sudden	Generalized Retro-orbital or Bitemporal	Most often seen in late pregnancy or the postpartum period Mass lesion effect such as visual field defects Hypopituitarism	Pituitary biopsy	CT & MRI typically reveal features of a pituitary mass.	The most accurate test is pituitary biopsy which will show lymphocytic infiltration.