Pituitary apoplexy in a teenager--case report.
BACKGROUND
Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical emergency which results from hemorrhage or infarction in the pituitary gland.


METHODS
We present a 14-year-old girl with pituitary apoplexy and review the literature.


RESULTS
Our patient experienced blurred vision, nausea, and headache. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 and 20/20. Confrontation test visual field testing revealed bitemporal hemianopsia. Brain imaging demonstrated a suprasellar mass. The microscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach only found 5-10 mL brownish fluid-like material. Pathology confirmed no malignancy. Pituitary apoplexy was diagnosed. Her nausea and headache gradually improved. Six months after operation, her best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 20/30 and 20/20.


CONCLUSIONS
Although pituitary apoplexy is rare in pediatric patients, prompt evaluation including detailed ophthalmic examination, biochemical evaluation, endocrine workup, and image study are very important.
Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
Chen-Cheng
CC
Chao
Department of Ophthalmology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: doctoraga@gmail.com.
Chun-Ju
CJ
Lin
D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010899:Pituitary Apoplexy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
bitemporal hemianopsia; hemorrhage in the pituitary gland; pituitary apoplexy; teenager