Post-Traumatic Hypopituitarism

Abstract

Post traumatic hypopituitarism is a rare entity. Only 15 cases (including our case) have been reported to date. A 68 years old man who sustained a severe head trauma 5 years previously, was admitted to the hospital because of Addisonian crisis precipitated by an intercurrent infection. Clinical picture and laboratory examinations were compatible with the diagnosis of anterior hypopituitarism. X-rays revealed an old fracture of sella turcica. Diagnosis is usually delayed in these cases because of variability of the clinical picture, confusion with post traumatic neurosis and lack of attention to this entity. Substitutional therapy is indicated.