J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1998 Nov;27(11):1611-1614.

Lymphocytic Hypophysitis: A Cases Report

• Lim DJ
• Chung YG
• Lee HK
• Lee KC
• Suh JK

Abstract

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland that is being recognized increasingly as a cause of hypopituitarism. Lymphocytic hypophysitis is due to autoimmune pituitary destruction and often occurs with other autoimmune diseases. We report a rare case of lymphocytic hyphophisitis in a 21-year old woman, who suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), presenting with intermittent headache for 2 months. Magnetic Resonance Imaging with a contrast medium revealed expanding sellar mass with hemorrhage. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery with a provisional diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. Histological examination revealed evidence of lymphocytic hypophysitis. We report a case of lymphocytic hypophysitis in nonpregnant women who suffered from SLE, an immunologically mediated multisystem disease.

Keyword

Lymphocytic hypophysitis; Pituitary tumor; SLE; Systemic lupus erythematosus

MeSH Terms

Autoimmune Diseases
Diagnosis
Female
Headache
Hemorrhage
Humans
Hypopituitarism
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Pituitary Gland
Pituitary Neoplasms
Young Adult