Pituitary infarction is the death of an area of tissue in the pituitary gland, a small gland joined to the hypothalamus (part of the brain). The pituitary produces many of the hormones that control essential body processes.
Pituitary infarction is most commonly caused by bleeding due to a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary. When this bleeding occurs in a woman during or right after childbirth, it is called Sheehan syndrome.
Risk factors for pituitary infarction include:
However, in most cases, the cause is not clear.
Pituitary infarction usually has a short period of symptoms (acute), but it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms usually include:
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 a lack of the hormone prolactin.
Over time, problems with other pituitary hormones may develop, causing symptoms of the following conditions:
When the posterior pituitary is involved (rare), symptoms may include:
Signs of acute pituitary infarction may include:
Signs of chronic pituitary insufficiency include:
Tests may include:
Blood tests will be done to check levels of:
Treatment for acute infarction may require surgery to relieve pressure on the pituitary and improve vision symptoms. Severe cases need emergency surgery.
Immediate treatment with adrenal replacement hormones (glucocorticoids) is essential. Other hormones will be replaced, including:
Evidence is also growing for the need to replace growth hormone.
Acute pituitary infarction can be life-threatening. The outlook is good for people who have chronic deficiency that is diagnosed and treated.
Complications of untreated pituitary infarction can include:
If other missing hormones are not replaced, you may develop problems related to hypothyroidism and hypogonadism.
Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of chronic pituitary insufficiency.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of acute pituitary infarction, including:
Be especially concerned if you develop these symptoms and you have already been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.
Pituitary apoplexy
Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 9.
Reviewed by: Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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