Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms

Pituitary apoplexy Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pituitary apoplexy from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X-ray
Ultrasound
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms
CDC on Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms
Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pituitary apoplexy
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pituitary apoplexy history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]

Symptoms

Pituitary infarction usually has a short period of symptoms (acute), but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms usually include:

• Severe headache. It is generally the first symptom to appear (seen in 80% of patients).
• Paralysis of the eye muscles (ophthalmoplegia), causing double vision (diplopia) . It can be due to intracavernous expansion of the tumor mass or a sudden increase in pressure in the pituitary region.
• Visual disturbances from compression of surrounding structures (optic chiasm and optic tract).
• Extravasation of blood into subarachnoid space can lead to signs of meningeal irritation such as nausea, vomitting, photophobia and meningismus.
• Low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting from acute adrenal insufficiency

Less commonly, pituitary dysfunction may appear more slowly. In Sheehan syndrome, for example, the first symptom may be a failure to produce milk caused by lack of the hormone prolactin.

Over time, problems with other pituitary hormones may develop, causing symptoms of the following conditions:

• Growth hormone deficiency
  • Fatigue
  • Increased fat in the abdomen
  • Lack of energy
• Hypoadrenalism (if not already present or treated)
  • Inability to deal with physical stress
  • Nausea
• Hypogonadism
  • Absent periods (amenorrhea) in women
  • Sexual dysfunction and loss of muscle mass in men
• Hypothyroidism
  • Cold intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Depressed mood
  • Dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Hair or skin changes
  • Hoarseness
  • Menstrual changes
  • Mental slowing
  • Weight gain

When the posterior pituitary is involved (rare), symptoms may include:

• Failure of the uterus to contract as needed to give birth to a baby (in women)
• Failure to produce breast milk (in women)
• Uncontrolled urination