Pituitary Apoplexy After a Major Abdominal Surgery: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Jan 25;16(1):e52966. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52966. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is a major complication of pituitary adenoma, and the diagnosis might be challenging if the patient presents with signs of meningeal irritation or electrolyte imbalance. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. Apoplexy is the first clinical presentation in the majority of pituitary adenoma cases. The pathophysiology of pituitary apoplexy involves bleeding and/or ischemia of pituitary enlargement. In this case report, we present a case of pituitary apoplexy that developed after a major abdominal surgery. The patient presented with headache, hypertension, and visual loss. After confirming the diagnosis through a CT scan, the patient underwent a transsphenoidal surgical decompression.

Keywords: hepatic hydatid cyst resection; major abdominal surgery; pituitary adenoma; pituitary apoplexy; severe headache.

Publication types

  • Case Reports