title: Lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis presenting in the postpartum period: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis is a well-known autoimmune disorder affecting the anterior pituitary gland. Posterior pituitary gland function can be impaired by a similar autoimmune disorder called lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis. Only very few cases have been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a patient with central diabetes insipidus in the postpartum period. On radiologic and endocrine evidence lymphocytic involvement of the pituitary stalk and infundibulum was suspected.
  
  
  METHODS
  A diagnostic pterional craniotomy was performed. The diagnosis of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis was confirmed by biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present a case of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis. In view of its autoimmune pathophysiology the occurrence of this disorder in the postpartum period is not surprising, even though it has not been reported before. This rare disorder should be distinguished from the more common lymphocytic adenohypophysitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Gasthuisbergh, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Havenbergh
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Robberecht
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilms
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Calenbergh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goffin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dom
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouillon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plets
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000473:pathology*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period
chemical_list: D010907:Pituitary Hormones