Empty sella may be the final outcome in lymphocytic hypophysitis.
BACKGROUND
Lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) is an autoimmune disorder associated with the infiltration of the pituitary gland by lymphocytes leading to different degrees of hypopituitarism. Females are affected more frequently than males and the disease is usually associated with pregnancy or postpartum period.


METHODS
We present a case of LH who was first diagnosed with diabetes insipidus and hyperprolactinemia. In the follow-up, the patient developed growth hormone, gonadotropin, and thyroid stimulating hormone deficiency. The typical appearance of increased stalk thickness and diffuse homogenous contrast enhancement of pituitary on magnetic resonance imaging resulted in empty sella by time.


CONCLUSIONS
The present case demonstrates the natural course of LH over a 13-year period in which the empty sella was the final outcome.
Karaca
Zuleyha
Z
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Tanriverdi
Fatih
F
Unluhizarci
Kursad
K
Kelestimur
Fahrettin
F
Donmez
Halil
H
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
D019382:Human Growth Hormone