A case of pregnancy-induced lymphocytic adenohypophysitis complicated by postpartum painless thyroiditis

Abstract

We report a patient with pregnancy-induced lymphocytic adenohypophysitis complicated by postpartum painless thyroiditis. A 27-year-old female noticed visual field defect in the 36th week of pregnancy. After delivery in the 39th week by cesarean section, she was admitted for close examination. Goiter was not palpable, and postpartum galactorrhea was not observed. Routine examination revealed no abnormal findings. On October 8, 1989, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor image (height 22.4mm) from the sella turcia to suprasellar cistern with a lower signal intensity than that of the white matter on T1 weighted images and a high signal intensity on T2 weighted images. Gd-DTPA contrast images showed a symmetrical and homogeneous tumor image at the same site. However, the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland appeared normal. These findings suggested lymphocytic adenohypophysitis. The LH was less than 0.3mIU/ml. The FSH (7.8mIU/ml), PRL (12ng/ml), GH (1.6ng/ml) and cortisol (10 micrograms/dl) levels were normal. T4 was 5.3 micrograms/dl, T3 67ng/dl, fT4 0.53ng/dl, which indicated mild hypothyroidism, but the TSH was normal. TRH test showed a slight increase in TSH and no response of PRL. Insulin tolerance test showed delayed response of GH and normal response of cortisol. LHRH test revealed no response of LH and delayed response of FSH. Anti-GH3 cell antibody and anti-thyroglobulin antibody were positive, but the anti-AtT20 cell antibody was negative. Since visual disturbance improved, and slight reduction in the mass (height 20.1mm) was confirmed by MRI after delivery on October 21, her course was observed without treatment. After 1 month, the LH became detectable, but the PRL and cortisol decreased to 2.5ng/ml and 6.0 micrograms/dl, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)