Iovino, M.a , Iovine, N.a , Mondillo, F.b , Guastamacchia, E.c , Licchelli, B.c , Giagulli, V.A.c , Triggiani, V.c
Hypopituitarism in neurocritical patients: A case report
(2016) Endocrine, Metabolic and Immune Disorders - Drug Targets, 16 (1), pp. 28-31.
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84973644414&partnerID=40&md5=9e531b9718b69ac561a1e918dceacc21
AFFILIATIONS: aEndocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Eboli Hospital, Salerno, Italy;
bRadiology, Eboli Hospital, Salerno, Italy;
cEndocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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. © 2016 Bentham Science Publishers.
AUTHOR KEYWORDS: Adrenal insufficiency; Hyponatremia; Hypopituitarism; Neuro-critical patients
DOCUMENT TYPE: Article
