A case of lymphocytic hypophysitis with massive fibrosis and the role of surgical intervention

Surg Neurol. 1994 Jul;42(1):74-8. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(94)90254-2.

Abstract

Four weeks after a normal delivery, a 33-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with visual disturbance, hypopituitarism, and diabetes insipidus. A homogeneously enhanced pituitary mass with suprasellar extension was observed. Presurgical steroid therapy was ineffective. A transsphenoidal approach revealed a firm white mass, which was histologically diagnosed as a lymphocytic hypophysitis with massive fibrosis. Lymphocytic hypophysitis shows a variety of clinical courses, and there are various problematic aspects concerning the histologic stage as well as the differential diagnosis. However, it is difficult to speculate concerning these without histologic studies. Cases with massive fibrosis, spontaneous resolution, or positive effects of steroids may be less likely.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Insipidus / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Fibrosis / pathology
  • Fibrosis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pituitary Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Diseases / pathology
  • Pituitary Diseases / surgery*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests
  • Sella Turcica / pathology
  • Sella Turcica / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed