Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Report of two cases

Abstract

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland. Standard therapy consists of transsphenoidal resection or oral administration of corticosteroid medications. Two patients with symptomatic lymphocytic hypophysitis, which recurred after standard therapy, were treated with low-dose stereotactic radiotherapy. On imaging studies both lesions demonstrated a response to radiation and each patient experienced relief of symptoms. There has been no adverse sequela of the radiation treatment. The authors conclude that stereotactic radiotherapy represents an effective, noninvasive treatment option for patients with lymphocytic hypophysitis, particularly if the disease is recurrent after surgery or resistant to corticosteroid medications.