scholarly journals Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Induced Pituitary Apoplexy

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A628-A628
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Yu ◽  
Francisco J Guarda ◽  
Naila Shiraliyeva ◽  
Melanie S Haines ◽  
Philip J Saylor ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), used in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC) and for reproductive purposes in women, have been implicated as the cause of pituitary apoplexy (PA), a potentially life-threatening condition. The pathophysiology of PA after GnRHa has not been completely elucidated. Proposed mechanisms include a stimulatory effect of GnRHa on pituitary adenoma cell metabolism, causing mismatched blood supply prompting hemorrhage or infarction. Prior documentation of PA associated with GnRHa has been scarce and limited to case reports. Methods: This is a detailed clinical case series of GnRH-induced PA from a single institution, obtained by a Research Patient Data Repository query. Clinical characteristics of the patients including demographics, detailed history, time interval between GnRHa and PA, physical exam, biochemical data, pituitary imaging and pathology were reviewed. Results: Seven cases were identified between 1990-2020; six men (aged 55 – 83 years) receiving treatment for PC and one woman (aged 22 years) receiving GnRHa for oocyte donation. All patients presented with headache; four within 48 hours of, one >1 month after, and one 5 months after, receiving GnRHa. One patient had insufficient data on time between GnRHa and PA. Most patients (86%) presented with nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms included ophthalmoplegia (43%), visual field defects (17%), and altered consciousness (29%). All patients had sellar masses and/or evidence of hemorrhage on MRI. Five patients underwent pituitary surgery while the others were managed medically. Of those who underwent surgical resection, 80% had positive histopathological staining for gonadotropins. Five patients with reliable hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis testing had impairment of this axis after PA; 40% recovered adrenal function. Central hypothyroidism occurred in 60% of whom 66% recovered. Hyponatremia occurred in 43%. Conclusions: Patients with gonadotrope-secreting adenomas may develop PA in response to GnRHa, more frequently in elderly men who are receiving GnRHa treatment for PC. This may be due to older age and higher prevalence of GnRHa use in this group. However, as demonstrated here and in prior case reports, women are not exonerated from this complication. Headache and adrenal insufficiency are typically present. HPA axis recovers in a subset. While most patients present <48 hours after GnRHa treatment, delayed presentations may occur. Therefore, a history of prior GnRHa exposure should be ascertained in patients presenting with PA. While the incidence of PA after GnRHa is low, this case series and prior case reports suggest that this serious potential complication should be recognized prior to treatment, especially in patients with known pituitary macroadenomas.

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110054
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Hanselman ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cody ◽  
Mark E. Easley ◽  
Samuel B. Adams ◽  
Selene G. Parekh

Background: Subchondroplasty (SCP) is a relatively new procedure, developed in 2007 for the treatment of bone marrow lesions (BMLs), that has shown promising results in the knee through several different case series. The foot and ankle literature, however, is sparse, with only a few documented case reports or case series. At our institution, we have identified several patients with complications after this specific procedure. As a result, we report our case series of patients who developed talar avascular necrosis (AVN) after undergoing SCP. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent SCP for a talar BML at our facility or who were referred to our facility after undergoing SCP at an outside institution. Patients were included if they developed radiographic evidence of talar AVN after the procedure. Patient demographics, comorbidities, concomitant intraoperative procedures, complications, and subsequent interventions were reviewed. Results: Seven patients were identified as having radiographic evidence of talar AVN after SCP. Average time interval was 23 months postoperative from index procedure to radiographic confirmation of AVN. Two of the index procedures were performed at our institution, whereas 5 of the index procedures were performed at outside institutions and referred for further management. Three patients had documented risk factors for AVN before the SCP procedure. All 7 patients were symptomatic from the AVN. Conclusion: We identified 7 patients who went on to develop talar AVN after having undergone SCP. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


Author(s):  
Mariana Barbosa ◽  
Sílvia Paredes ◽  
Maria João Machado ◽  
Rui Almeida ◽  
Olinda Marques

Summary Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, currently used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, have been described as a rare cause of pituitary apoplexy, a potentially life-threatening clinical condition. We report the case of a 69-year-old man with a known pituitary macroadenoma who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and started treatment with GnRH agonist leuprorelin (other hormones were not tested before treatment). Few minutes after drug administration, the patient presented with acute-onset severe headache, followed by left eye ptosis, diplopia and vomiting. Pituitary MRI revealed tumor enlargement and T1-hyperintense signal, compatible with recent bleeding sellar content. Laboratory endocrine workup was significant for low total testosterone. The patient was managed conservatively with high-dose steroids, and symptoms significantly improved. This case describes a rare phenomenon, pituitary apoplexy induced by GnRH agonist. We review the literature regarding this condition: the pathophysiological mechanism involved is not clearly established and several hypotheses have been proposed. Although uncommon, healthcare professionals and patients should be aware of this complication and recognize the signs, preventing a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Learning points: Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a potentially life-threatening complication that can be caused by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) administration for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. This complication is rare but should be taken into account when using GnRHa, particularly in the setting of a known pre-existing pituitary adenoma. PA presents with classic clinical signs and symptoms that should be promptly recognized. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if suspicious symptoms occur. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this complication, enabling its early recognition, adequate treatment and favorable outcome.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlien de Herdt ◽  
Eva Philipse ◽  
Christophe De Block

Background and Aims: Thyrotropin-stimulating pituitary adenoma (TSHoma) are a rare entity, occurring in 1 per million people. We performed a systematic review of 535 adult cases summarizing the clinical, biochemical, hormonal and radiological characteristics of TSHoma. Furthermore, we discuss the current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Methods A structured research was conducted using Pubmed with the following MeSH terms: “thyrotropin secreting pituitary adenoma” OR “TSHoma” OR “thyrotropinoma”. Results Our analysis included 535 cases originating from 18 case series, 5 cohort studies and 91 case reports. Mean age at diagnosis was 46 years. At presentation 75% had symptoms of hyperthyroidism, 55.5% presented with a goitre and 24.9% had visual field defects. Median TSH at diagnosis was 5.16 (3.20-7.43) mU/L with a mean fT4 of 41.5±15.3 pmol/L. The majority (76.9%) of the TSHoma were macroadenoma. Plurihormonality was seen in 37.4% of the adenoma with a higher incidence in macroadenoma. Surgical resection of the adenoma was performed in 87.7% patients of which 33.5% had residual pituitary adenoma. Postoperative treatment with a somatostatin analogue led to a stable disease in 81.3% of the cases with residual tumour. We noticed a significant correlation between the diameter of the adenoma and residual pituitary adenoma (r=0.490, p<0.001). However, in patients pre-operatively treated with somatostatin analogue this correlation was absent. Conclusion TSHoma are a rare cause of hyperthyroidism and are frequently misdiagnosed. Based on our structured analysis of case series, cohort studies and case reports, we conclude that the majority of TSHoma are macroadenoma being diagnosed in the 5-6th decade of life and presenting with symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Plurihormonalitiy is observed in one third of TSHoma. Treatment consists of neurosurgical resection and SSA in case of surgical failure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 808-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avetis Azizyan ◽  
Joseph M. Miller ◽  
Ramzi I. Azzam ◽  
Marcel M. Maya ◽  
Pouyan Famini ◽  
...  

OBJECT Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder that is most commonly characterized by a combination of sudden headache, visual disturbance, and hypothalamic/hormonal dysfunction. In many cases, there is hemorrhagic infarction of an underlying pituitary adenoma. The resulting clinical symptoms are due to compression of the remaining pituitary, cavernous sinuses, or cranial nerves. However, there are only 2 case reports in the literature describing spontaneous retroclival expansion of hemorrhage secondary to pituitary apoplexy. Ten cases of this entity with a review of the literature are presented here. METHODS This is a single-institution retrospective review of 2598 patients with sellar and parasellar masses during the 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. The pituitary and brain MRI and MRI studies were reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists for evidence of apoplexy, with particular attention given to retroclival extension. RESULTS Eighteen patients (13 men and 5 women; mean age 54 years) were identified with presenting symptoms of sudden onset of headache and ophthalmoplegia, and laboratory findings consistent with pituitary apoplexy. Ten of these patients (8 men and 2 women; mean age 55 years) had imaging findings consistent with retroclival hematoma. CONCLUSIONS Retroclival hemorrhage was seen in the majority of cases of pituitary apoplexy (56%), suggesting that it is more common than previously thought.


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