Pituitary apoplexy

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Pituitary Apoplexy

Pituitary apoplexy (pronunciation: pɪˈtjuːɪtəri æpəˌplɛksi) is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by sudden onset of headache, vomiting, visual impairment, and decreased consciousness, often with meningismus, caused by hemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland.

Etymology

The term "apoplexy" is derived from the Ancient Greek apoplexia (ἀποπληξία), meaning "a striking away". In the context of pituitary apoplexy, it refers to a sudden strike or blow to the pituitary gland, metaphorically speaking, due to hemorrhage or infarction.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of pituitary apoplexy include sudden headache, vomiting, visual impairment, and decreased consciousness. Other symptoms may include double vision, eye pain, and meningismus.

Causes

Pituitary apoplexy is most commonly caused by hemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland. This can occur spontaneously, or it can be triggered by certain factors such as head trauma, surgery, radiation therapy, or the use of certain medications.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy is typically based on the patient's symptoms and medical history, along with imaging studies such as MRI or CT scan of the brain. Blood tests may also be used to assess the function of the pituitary gland.

Treatment

Treatment for pituitary apoplexy typically involves managing the acute symptoms and stabilizing the patient's condition, followed by surgery to remove the affected part of the pituitary gland. In some cases, medication may be used to shrink the size of the gland before surgery.

See also

External links

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