Pituitary apoplexy

Abstract

The body's hormonal milieu is largely under the control of the pituitary-hypothalamic axis. Pituitary dysfunction may produce a wide variety of endocrine abnormalities including hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, and hypogonadism. Occasionally these manifestations may present as the acute endocrine emergencies of myxedema coma or addisonian crisis. Pituitary apoplexy is the result of sudden infarction of the pituitary or hemorrhage into the gland. This case in a 41 year old man illustrates a typical presentation of pituitary apoplexy and the confusing diagnostic picture it may produce.