Hypopituitarism caused by neurocysticercosis

Am J Med Sci. 2011 May;341(5):414-6. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3182056438.

Abstract

Although neurocysticercosis is pleomorphic in its presentation, neurocysticercosis of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus is so uncommon that less than 10 cases have been reported in the literature. Hypopituitarism as a complication of neurocysticercosis is exceedingly rare with only 2 cases described in the literature. Herein, the authors describe a case of neurocysticercosis causing hypopituitarism in a young patient and mimicking a pituitary adenoma. Clinical experience with management of these cases is lacking, and there are no studies confirming the efficacy of cysticidal drugs in intrasellar or suprasellar cysts. Because most of single enhancing cystic lesions may disappear spontaneously and risk may outweigh the benefit of treatment, conservative management may be indicated in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / diagnosis*
  • Hypopituitarism / etiology*
  • Hypopituitarism / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications*
  • Neurocysticercosis / drug therapy
  • Neurocysticercosis / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anthelmintics