title: Acute hypopituitarism complicating Russell's viper envenomation: case series and systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic hypopituitarism following Russell viper envenomation (RVE) is a rare but well-recognized syndrome. The clinical features, associations, management and outcomes of RVE associated-acute hypopituitarism (AHP) are not well described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical features, intensive care unit (ICU) management and outcomes of a series of patients with RVE-AHP and identify the clinical associations of RVE-AHP.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a series of patients with prospectively identified AHP related to RVE and describe our findings comparing RVE with and without AHP and a systematic search of literature on AHP related to RVE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified nine cases of AHP related to RVE. Unexplained hypoglycemia (100%) and hypotension (66.7%) were the most common findings at presentation. AHP occurred after a median of 9 (range, 2-14) days after severe envenomation and was associated with multi-organ dysfunction, lower platelet counts, more bleeding and transfusions when compared to patients with RVE alone. The presence of clinically defined capillary leak syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation and mortality were not different from those without AHP. Our systematic search yielded 12 cases of AHP related to RVE; data on associated clinical manifestations, therapy and ASV administration were not available in most reports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AHP is a very rare complication of RVE. Unexplained hypoglycemia and hypotension should prompt evaluation for AHP in RVE. AHP is associated with severe RVE, multi-organ dysfunction, bleeding and need for transfusion. Prompt treatment with steroids may reduce mortality related to AHP in RVE.
authors: From the Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India visitsrinivasan@gmail.com.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Rajagopala
authors: From the Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Thabah
authors: From the Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India.
authors: K K
authors: KK
authors: Ariga
authors: From the Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Dhanvantri Nagar, Puducherry 605006, India.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gopalakrishnan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D017840:Daboia; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014757:Viper Venoms