Autoimmune hypophysitis may eventually become empty sella
Gao, H.; Gu, Y-You.; Qiu, M-cai.
Neuro Endocrinology Letters 34(2): 102-106
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-780X PMID: 23645305 Document Number: 667504
Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is commonly believed to be a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the pituitary gland. In clinical practice, however, the disease is often seen indeed. It typically presents with hypopituitarism and pituitary mass found by MRI. We report here unusual presentations of two females with AH followed by empty sella syndrome. The two females, aged at 64 and 57-years-old, presented with anterior pituitary dysfunction, diplopia and diabetes insipidus. By MRI the two patients shared the common characteristics with diffuse homogenous contrast enhancement of the gland and increased stalk thickness. After a long period treatment with glucocorticoids, empty sella was eventually detected by MRI.