title: Cerebral ischaemia in pituitary apoplexy.
abstract: Pituitary apoplexy is a potentially fatal condition that can have serious consequences even after successful treatment. One of the potential complications of this syndrome is occlusion of the internal carotid arteries, which causes cerebral ischaemia. This can occur through one of two mechanisms--direct compression of the artery or vasospasm caused by factors released from haemorrhagic or necrotic material. We illustrate two examples of cerebral ischaemia with pituitary apoplexy, one with compression and one with vasospasm, both ending in a successful resolution. In both, magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, and hormonal studies allow diagnosis, and urgent surgical decompression should be the treatment of choice. We review the literature and discuss the mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. s.ahmed@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Shahzada K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Patrick L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Semple
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards; D010899:Pituitary Apoplexy / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010901:Pituitary Function Tests / Q000592:standards; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010907:Pituitary Hormones