Abrupt-onset oculomotor paralysis: an endocrine emergency

Eur J Emerg Med. 2001 Sep;8(3):233-6. doi: 10.1097/00063110-200109000-00013.

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that may be highly variable in its clinical presentation. We report a 37-year-old man presenting to the emergency department with diplopia that abruptly developed while he was eating canned and bottled food prepared at home. A computed tomography scanning revealed an isodense mass within the sellar region and, subsequently, a magnetic resonance imaging showed a pituitary apoplexy causing a compression of the right III and VI oculomotor nerves. There was no improvement with hydrocortisone therapy and the patient underwent a transsphenoidal excision of the mass with an uneventful course. Pituitary apoplexy may raise in the appropriate setting the suspicion of botulism. The abrupt-onset paralysis of oculomotor nerves has been described as the chief presenting sign of pituitary apoplexy in only few cases including this. A pathophysiology, differential diagnosis with botulism and other causes of multiple cranial nerve paralysis, and treatment are described.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Diplopia / etiology*
  • Diplopia / therapy
  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Ophthalmoplegia / etiology*
  • Ophthalmoplegia / therapy
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / complications*
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / physiopathology
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / therapy
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prolactinoma / diagnosis
  • Treatment Outcome