Histologically proven lymphocytic hypophysitis: spontaneous resolution and subsequent pregnancy

Abstract

Of the 128 previously reported cases of lymphocytic hypophysitis, the diagnosis was histologically proven in 6 patients in whom the pituitary mass regressed spontaneously; only 1 subsequently became pregnant. Among six additional patients who became pregnant after a diagnosis of presumed lymphocytic hypophysitis, the disease was confirmed histologically in only three, two of whom underwent surgical debulking and one who had no follow-up imaging. To our knowledge, we describe the second patient with histologically proven lymphocytic hypophysitis, associated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin) and prolactin deficiencies, in whom the pituitary mass regressed completely with physiologic hydrocortisone therapy only and in whom a spontaneous pregnancy occurred subsequently with no postpartum recurrence of the pituitary mass. This information lends credence to previous recommendations that, in the absence of visual field defects, surgical and corticosteroid therapy may be safely withheld, with periodic reassessment.