Pituitary enlargement with target organ deficiency: hypothyroidism and hypogonadism

Surg Neurol. 1987 Nov;28(5):390-4. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(87)90064-4.

Abstract

Three women with pituitary enlargements associated with preexisting target organ failures are reported. Two pituitary enlargements owing to primary hypothyroidism and one to primary hypogonadism were shown to be regressed on computed tomography after the replacement therapy. Clinically and pathologically, the differentiation of a pituitary hyperplasia from a pituitary adenoma is often very difficult. Moreover, the treatments for these conditions are quite different. Adequate medication can diminish a pituitary enlargement because of the feedback mechanism. Existence of the target organ deficiency should always be checked before the management of pituitary tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / complications*
  • Hypogonadism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / complications*
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Norgestrel / therapeutic use
  • Pituitary Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Diseases / etiology*
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Norgestrel
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Thyroxine