Clinical Analysis of Pituitary Apoplexy

뇌하수체졸중의 임상적 고찰

  • Kim, Jung Tae (Departement of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Park, Bong Jin (Departement of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Sung, Jung Nam (Departement of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Kim, Young Joon (Departement of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Cho, Maeng Ki (Departement of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University)
  • 김정태 (단국대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 박봉진 (단국대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 성정남 (단국대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 김영준 (단국대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 조맹기 (단국대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실)
  • Received : 2000.07.04
  • Accepted : 2001.05.11
  • Published : 2001.06.28

Abstract

Objectives : Pituitary apoplexy is a well-described clinical syndrome resulting from pituitary hemorrhage, hemorrhagic infarction, or infarction, almost invariably occurring in the presence of an adenoma. We analyzed pituitary apoplexy with an emphasis on clinical presentation, pathology and predisposing factors. Methods : We reviewed 35 histologically proven pituitary adenomas, operated from January 1995 to August 1999, to select 8 cases which showed clinical or operative findings compatible with pituitary apoplexy. These patients were analyzed in terms of symptom and sign, hormonal status, and predisposing factors, pathologic findings. Results : Among 35 surgically treated tumors of the pituitary gland, 8 cases(23%) were diagnosed as pituitary apoplexy. The pathologic findings revealed hemorrhage(7 cases) and infarction(1 case) of pituitary adenomas. One case had predisposing factor of appendectomy. The most common presenting symptom and sign were sudden severe headache and visual disturbance. Conclusion : We treated pituitary apoplexy surgically and obtained good outcomes. Pituitary apoplexy due to massive infarction of the pituitary gland is very rare condition but surgical treatment by trans-spheniodal surgery showed a good result.

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