title: Pituitary apoplexy and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a new case and review of the literature.
abstract: Pituitary apoplexy can occur as a complication of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. We report here a new case of such association. A male patient aged 59 years, complaining of decreased libido for one year, was referred to the emergency department for purpura and severe thrombocytopenia (4000 platelets/mm3). 24 hours after the cutaneous rash the patient presented with clinical symptoms of bilateral cavernous sinus compression comprising ptosis, bilateral ophtalmoplegia and right supraorbital hypoesthesia. Cranial CT scan showed an enlarged sella and a pituitary mass with signs of intrapituitary haemorrhage. Hormonal evaluation showed hyperprolactinemia (50 ng/mL) and hypopituitarism, and the patient needed substitution with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. Immunoglobulins and corticosteroids were given to the patient to treat thrombocytopenia, then worsening of neurological and ophtalmological symptoms led to pituitary surgery. Histopathological examination found necrotical pituitary tissue. Immunostaining with an anti-prolactin antibody was positive in several groups of cells. Neurological symptoms subsided and thrombocytopenia was corrected by treatment. In conclusion, we report a case of pituitary apoplexy due to severe thrombocytopenia occurring as a complication of a preexisting macroprolactinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Maïza
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bennet
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thorn-Kany
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lagarrigue
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France. caron.p@chu-toulouse.fr.|Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059, Toulouse, France. caron.p@chu-toulouse.fr.
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caron
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010899:Pituitary Apoplexy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone