Spontaneous regression of anterior pituitary deficits in a woman harboring a persistent hypothalamic mass.
Sellar or parasellar lesions can cause anterior pituitary dysfunction either by direct damage to the anterior pituitary gland or by compression of the pituitary stalk and mediobasal hypothalamus which contain the hypophysiotropic hormones. Without treatment, the pituitary deficits in such cases are not likely to improve. We describe a case in which deficits in anterior pituitary hormones spontaneously remitted in a woman who had a persistent hypothalamic lesion that was not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy. The factors that may predict spontaneous recovery of anterior pituitary function in such cases are discussed.
Amico
J A
JA
Department of Medicine, University of Pittisburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261.
Miaskiewicz
S L
SL
Harris
R N
RN
Hirsch
W L
WL
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005687:Galactorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007029:Hypothalamic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone