South African Journal of Radiology (Dec 2010)

Acute pituitary apoplexy complicating a pituitary macroadenoma

  • Febin Joseph,
  • Zarina I Lockhat,
  • Malan Janse van Rensburg,
  • Janet Smal,
  • Tshepo Peter Moja

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v14i4.459
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 4

Abstract

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Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by either haemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland. In most cases, a pre-existing pituitary macroadenoma is present. Patients present with the clinical syndrome of headache, visual defects or ophthalmoplegia, altered state of consciousness and variable endocrine deficits.

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