Go Back Brain/14. Insula, Basal ganglia, Thalamus, Pituitary gland/Metabolic, Endocrine, Toxic/145.51 - Pituitary Apoplexy/ Go to Index

21 year-old female, 2nd trimester pregnancy with worsening headache.

Acute degeneration of a pituitary adenoma secondary to out-stripping of its blood supply

-> infarction and hemorrhage

Can be associated with clinical symptoms

Severe HA, hypotension, sudden visual loss

Frequently asymptomatic.

MRI is the standard

Pituitary mass with considerable suprasellar extension

Signal heterogeniety -> hemorrhage, possibly blood/fluid level

Can rarely rupture into subarachnoid space.