Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The inflammation of the pituitary gland known as hypophysitis. It is a rare disease accounting for approximately 0.24–0.88% of all pituitary diseases. Main forms of hypophysitis are histologically classified as lymphocytic, granulomatous, IgG4 related and xanthomatous. We aim to present ourpatients of hypophysitis with clinical,laboratoryand radiological features.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database of 1293 patients diagnosed with pituitary diseases between 2010 and 2017. Demographical data, clinical features, endocrinological dysfunction, magnetic resonance imaging findings, treatment courses and follow-up periods were evaluated. Primary hypophysitis diagnosis was made by the exclusion of secondary causes of hypophysitis, consequently twelve patients with hypophysitis were identified.

Results: The frequency of hypophysitis was found 0.93% in all cases of pituitary disease. Twelve patients (nine females and three males); ages ranged between 17 and 61 years were evaluated. The characteristic features of our patients tend to be female predominance and young population. Diagnosis of hypophysitis was made after pituitary biopsy in 4 patients and in 8 patients after pituitary operation due to adenoma. Headache (63%) and visual problems (18%) were the most frequent nonendocrine symptoms. Anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies (63.7%) and/or diabetes insipidus (16.7%) were seen amongpatients.According to histopathological forms, 4 had lymphocytic, 6 had granulomatous and 1 had xanthogranulomatous types of hypophtsitis.

Conclusion: Hypophysitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sellar masses. It can mimic pituitary adenomas in radiological and endocrinological aspects.The different patterns of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies and diabetes insipidus may be seen in the course of disease.