Suprasellar Aneurysm An Unusual Cause of Hypopituitarism

Abstract

PANHYPOPITUITARISM, an uncommon clinical disorder, may result from a variety of underlying conditions. Chromophobe adenoma is perhaps the most frequent precipitating cause. Less common but confirmed causes include postpartum pituitary infarction, granulomatous disorders, head trauma, hemorrhage, suprasellar cyst, craniopharyngioma, and suprasellar aneurysm, which is presented here. Report of a Case A 55-year-old white woman was hospitalized because of a visual field defect. Additional complaints were bifrontal headache, 18-kg (40-lb) weight loss, alopecia, cold sensitivity, and increased sleep requirements. She denied having polydipsia, polyuria, or nocturia. She had been hypertensive for many years but had remained normotensive in the last 18 months without therapy. Her pregnancies had been uncomplicated, and she had reached an uneventful menopause at age 50 years. Vital signs were normal. The optic fundi showed mild congestion of retinal vessels but no papilledema, hemorrhage, or exudates. Visual field examination by perimetry showed a bitemporal hemianopsia. Axillary hair was