Title:Hypopituitarism in Neurocritical Patients: A Case Report
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Michele Iovino, Nicola Iovine, Fiorentino Mondillo, Edoardo Guastamacchia, Brunclla Licchelli, Vito A. Giagulli and Vincenzo Triggiani
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Adrenal insufficiency, hyponatremia, hypopituitarism, neuro-critical patients.
Abstract: Background: Besides changes in pituitary hormones secretion observed during the acute
phase of stroke as an adaptive response to injury or an effect of drugs, a true hypopituitarism due to
ischemic and/or hemorrhagic damage at the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland can develop after a
stroke.
Case Report: We report a case of a 72-year-old woman showing clinical signs and laboratory data
suggesting a secondary adrenal insufficiency following a recent acute brain ischemia. Cortisone therapy significantly
improved this pituitary dysfunction.
Conclusions: Clinicians must pay attention to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in neurocritical patients because hormonal
replacement therapy may be life-saving.