Bilateral stroke following pituitary apoplexy

J Clin Neurosci. 2009 Dec;16(12):1670-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.03.011. Epub 2009 Oct 1.

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy followed by cerebral infarction is rare. We report a 59-year-old male with a known pituitary macroadenoma who was admitted to our emergency department for treatment of an acute myocardial infarction. He underwent coronary angioplasty and was subsequently treated with aspirin, clopidogrel and full-dose enoxaparin. He developed pituitary apoplexy with bilateral compression of both internal carotid arteries, and infarction of both anterior and middle hemispheres; consequently, he died. This patient illustrates the difficulties of administering aggressive anticoagulative and antiplatelet therapy to patients who have a known pituitary adenoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods