title: [A 74 year old patient with recurrent shock caused by hypopituitarism].
abstract: This article analyzes the case of a 74 year old patient who was hospitalized four times with recurrent complaints, which consisted of hypothermia, hypotension, weakness, and a hyponatremia, and were always caused by an underlying acute infection. Laboratory results showed an hypothyroidism, a secondary adrenal insufficiency, a secondary hypogonadism, and a growth hormone deficiency, which led to a diagnosis of pituitary dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed an 'empty sella', a non-visualization of the pituitary gland caused by an herniation of a supra-sellar cistern into the pituitary fossa. Considering the lack of an underlying pituitary tumor, a treatment consisting of partial hormonal substitution was started, eventually resulting in the full recovery of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Dienst algemene interne geneeskunde, UZ Leuven, campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, België. annelien.goedgezelschap@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: Annelien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goedgezelschap
authors.affiliation: Dienst klinische en experimentele geneeskunde, afdeling gerontologie en geriatrie, UZ Leuven, Leuven, België
authors.forename: Eddy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dejaeger
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D000368:Aged; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
keywords: Empty sella; Growth hormone deficiency; Hypopituitarism; Hypothyroidism; Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency