TY - JOUR
T1 - Primary hypophysitis
T2 - Clinical-pathological correlations
AU - Gutenberg, Angelika
AU - Hans, Volkmar
AU - Puchner, Maximilian J.A.
AU - Kreutzer, Jürgen
AU - Brück, Wolfgang
AU - Caturegli, Patrizio
AU - Buchfelder, Michael
PY - 2006/7
Y1 - 2006/7
N2 - Objective: Primary hypophysitis comprises of three distinct histomorphological entities: lymphocytic, granulomatous and xanthomatous. Clinical features of the three subtypes for diagnostic and treatment strategies have yet not been well characterized. Methods: Endocrine function, visual fields and acuity as well as magnetic resonance imaging characteristics were assessed before and after transphenoidal surgery in the largest series of 31 patients with primary hypophysitis (21 lymphocytic, 6 granulomatous, and 4 xanthomatous cases). Results: Only lymphocytic hypophysitis occurred during pregnancy (30%) and was associated with other autoimmune diseases (24%). Visual fields and acuity abnormalities were not seen in xanthomatous hypophysitis. Lymphocytic and granulomatous hypophysitis most often resulted in severe dysfunction of the adrenal, gonadal and thyroidal axes as well as diabetes insipidus. For patients presenting with xanthomatous hypophysitis most often, mild anterior pituitary axis failure was documented and posterior pituitary involvement was hardly found. The outcome after transphenoidal biopsy was generally favorable. Pre- or postsurgical glucocorticoid treatment was very effective in 75% of the lymphocytic form in reducing the pituitary size. In contrast, glucocorticoid therapy was less effective in granulomatous or xanthomatous hypophysitis. Conclusion: Diffuse destruction of the complete pituitary gland including the infundibulum has to be considered in lymphocytic and granulomatous hypophysitis, whereas in xanthomatous, a circumscribed anterior pituitary lesion leading to compression of the pituitary gland without alteration of the pituitary stalk and optic chiasm can be assumed.
AB - Objective: Primary hypophysitis comprises of three distinct histomorphological entities: lymphocytic, granulomatous and xanthomatous. Clinical features of the three subtypes for diagnostic and treatment strategies have yet not been well characterized. Methods: Endocrine function, visual fields and acuity as well as magnetic resonance imaging characteristics were assessed before and after transphenoidal surgery in the largest series of 31 patients with primary hypophysitis (21 lymphocytic, 6 granulomatous, and 4 xanthomatous cases). Results: Only lymphocytic hypophysitis occurred during pregnancy (30%) and was associated with other autoimmune diseases (24%). Visual fields and acuity abnormalities were not seen in xanthomatous hypophysitis. Lymphocytic and granulomatous hypophysitis most often resulted in severe dysfunction of the adrenal, gonadal and thyroidal axes as well as diabetes insipidus. For patients presenting with xanthomatous hypophysitis most often, mild anterior pituitary axis failure was documented and posterior pituitary involvement was hardly found. The outcome after transphenoidal biopsy was generally favorable. Pre- or postsurgical glucocorticoid treatment was very effective in 75% of the lymphocytic form in reducing the pituitary size. In contrast, glucocorticoid therapy was less effective in granulomatous or xanthomatous hypophysitis. Conclusion: Diffuse destruction of the complete pituitary gland including the infundibulum has to be considered in lymphocytic and granulomatous hypophysitis, whereas in xanthomatous, a circumscribed anterior pituitary lesion leading to compression of the pituitary gland without alteration of the pituitary stalk and optic chiasm can be assumed.
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U2 - 10.1530/eje.1.02183
DO - 10.1530/eje.1.02183
M3 - Article
C2 - 16793955
AN - SCOPUS:33746296299
SN - 0804-4643
VL - 155
SP - 101
EP - 107
JO - European journal of endocrinology
JF - European journal of endocrinology
IS - 1
ER -