Introduction: Lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the pituitary or/and hypothalamus with variable disease course: from spontaneous remission to pituitary atrophy. The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up remain challenging. The aim of the study is to present long-term data and an individualized therapeutic approach and propose an algorithm for the follow-up of patients with probable LH.
Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of 18 consecutive adult patients (13 W/5 M, mean age 45.2 years) with LH diagnosed and treated in a tertiary referral center.
Results: The first manifestations were headaches (50.0%), polyuria/polydipsia (33.3%) and symptoms of hypopituitarism (16.7%). Somatotropic, adrenal, gonadal and thyroid axis insufficiencies were found in 44.4%, 33.3%, 33.3%, and 27.8% of patients, respectively. Arginine vasopressin deficiency was diagnosed in 8 patients (44.4%). Some of the dysfunctions were transient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed thickened pituitary stalk in all but 2 cases. In 2 patients an anterior pituitary lesion, most likely inflammatory was described. Four patients were given steroids (severe headaches) with clinical recovery and stable/improved MRI. One woman was operated on due to the progressive mass-related symptoms - histopathological examination confirmed LH. In the remaining 13/18 patients watchful waiting approach allowed to obtain hormonal and radiological stabilization/improvement.
Conclusions: LH is a disease with a complex clinical picture and challenging diagnosis. Treatment requires an individual approach: vigilant observation is the cornerstone of therapy, with steroid/surgical treatment reserved for cases with mass-related symptoms. Further multicenter research might help in better understanding of the LH and creating standards of care in this rare disease.
Keywords: arginine vasopressin deficiency; hypophysitis; hypopituitarism; stalk enlargement.