ANTERIOR PITUITARY INSUFFICIENCY (PANHYPOPITUITARISM—SIMMONDS' DISEASE), PITUITARY MYXEDEMA AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (MYXEDEMA HEART); REPORT OF CASE AND FINDINGS AT NECROPSY

Abstract

In a case of severe anterior pituitary insufficiency resulting from pituitary atrophy the cause of the pituitary atrophy was not evident; it may have occurred as the result of trauma. The patient weighed less than he did when he was in good health but he was not emaciated or cachectic. The BMR was low and the patient''s appearance suggested myxedema. Death resulted from congestive heart failure. The antemortem and postmortem status of the heart was consistent with the diagnosis of myxedema heart. No other cause of heart failure could be demonstrated at necropsy. The coronary arteries and the valves of the heart were normal. At necropsy the pituitary body, thyroid gland, adrenal cortices and testes were atrophic.