Pituitary Apoplexy Flashcards
What is pituitary apoplexy?
Sudden enlargement of a pituitary tumour (usually non-functioning macroadenoma) secondary to haemorrhage or infarction.
What is the enlargement of the pituitary tumour secondary to?
Haemorrhage or infarction
What are possible precipitating factors for a pituitary apoplexy?
hypertension
pregnancy
trauma
anticoagulation
What are the possible presenting features of pituitary apoplexy?
sudden onset headache
vomiting
neck stiffness
visual field defects
features of pituitary insufficiency
What is the headache with pituitary apoplexy similar to?
A subarachnoid haemorrhage headache
What visual field defects can occur in someone with pituitary apoplexy?
Bitemporal superior quadrantic defect
extraocular nerve palsies
How can pituitary apoplexy be diagnosed?
MRI
What is the management of pituitary apoplexy?
urgent steroid replacement due to loss of ACTH
careful fluid balance
surgery
