Panhypopituitarism after traumatic head injury.
BACKGROUND
We describe a case report of panhypopituitarism after traumatic head injury. A previously healthy young man suffered a closed head injury and multiple spinal fractures after a motorcycle accident.


METHODS
His treatment in the intensive care unit was prolonged because of numerous problems with raised intracranial pressure, hemodynamics, and electrolyte balance.


RESULTS
Eventually, hypocortisolism and other pituitary hormone deficiencies were diagnosed. Magnetic resonance images showed incoherent pituitary stalk and re-review of the first computed tomography scans of the day of the accident confirmed hemorrhage in the infundibulum.


CONCLUSIONS
This case and review of the literature suggests that hormone deficiencies are not uncommon after head injuries.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. riikka.takala@tyks.fi
Riikka S K
RS
Takala
Ari J
AJ
Katila
Pirkko
P
Sonninen
Juha
J
Perttilä
D000293:Adolescent; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000293:injuries*