Pituitary apoplexy in association with lymphocytic hypophysitis

Pituitary apoplexy has been recognised much more frequently since the introduction of CT and MRI scanning. Lymphocytic hypophysitis has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years. A case of pituitary apoplexy occurring in a patient with lymphocytic hypophysitis as part of a polyglandular syndrome is reported. This combination does not appear to have been previously reported. The pituitary haemorrhage was confirmed on MRI and at surgery. Lymphocytic hypophysitis was confirmed histologically. The apoplexy was accompanied by severe headache, elevation of the optic chiasm, developing field loss and onset of ptosis. The apoplexy was precipitated by neck extension. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.