Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- longstanding and progressing symptoms
- headaches
- erectile dysfunction
- soft small testicles
- gynecomastia
- amenorrhea
- infertility
- breast atrophy
- loss of libido
- hot flashes
- diaphoresis
- weight gain
- fatigue
- anorexia
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
- decreased visual acuity
- bitemporal hemianopia
- pituitary apoplexy
- diplopia
Other diagnostic factors
- increased central adiposity
- reduced muscle mass
- constipation
- cold intolerance
- dry skin
- hair loss
- poor memory
- low mood
- osteopenia
- weight loss
- nervousness
- facial numbness
- imbalance
- urinary incontinence
- recurrent sinusitis
- bradycardia
- seizures
Risk factors
- multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1)
- familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA)
- Carney complex (CNC)
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- prolactin
- insulin-like growth factor 1
- luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone
- alpha subunit of human pituitary glycoprotein hormones
- testosterone
- estradiol
- thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine
- morning cortisol
- adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test
- adrenocorticotropic hormone
- insulin tolerance test for cortisol
- basic metabolic panel
- CBC
- MRI pituitary with gadolinium enhancement
- contrast-enhanced CT pituitary
Tests to consider
- growth hormone stimulation test
- lipid panel
- Humphrey or Goldmann formal visual fields test
- immunohistochemical staining
Treatment algorithm
pituitary apoplexy
microadenoma
macroadenoma without mass effect and not abutting optic chiasm
macroadenoma without mass effect but abutting optic chiasm
macroadenoma with mass effect
Contributors
Authors
Susmeeta Tewari Sharma, MD, MBBS, MHSc
Director of Pituitary Endocrinology
MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Hospital
Washington
DC
Disclosures
STS declares that she has no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
Dr Susmeeta Tewari Sharma would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Gabriel Zada, Dr John Carmichael, Dr Israel Orija and Dr Amir H. Hamrahian, previous contributors to this topic. GZ, JC, IO and AH declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
S. Bulent Omay, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Yale Medical School
New Haven
CT
Disclosures
SBO declares that he has no competing interests.
Andrew James, BSc, MB BCh, MD, MRCP, FRCP
Consultant Endocrinologist
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Newcastle
UK
Disclosures
AJ declares that he has no competing interests.
Federico Roncaroli, MD
Reader in Neuropathology and Honorary Consultant in Neuropathology
Neuropathology Unit
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Faculty of Medicine
Imperial College
London
UK
Disclosures
FR declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Prolactin-secreting adenoma (prolactinoma)
- Growth hormone-secreting adenoma (acromegaly)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenoma (Cushing syndrome)
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Clinical practice guideline on functioning and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas in pregnancy
- Appropriateness Criteria: neuroendocrine imaging
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