Pituitary Apoplexy Following Mild Head Injury Mimicking Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical syndrome occurring as a consequence of fulminant expansion of pituitary tumor due to massive infarction, necrosis, or hemorrhage. Its association with head injury is rare, and only few reports are available. The clinical picture is characterized by sudden-onset headache, visual symptoms, multiple cranial nerve involvement, meningismus, altered mental status, and hormonal dysfunction. We are reporting a rare case of pituitary apoplexy following minor head injury initially misdiagnosed as meningitis though finally treated with hormone replacement without surgery and was discharged uneventful.