[Hypophyseal coma]

Abstract

Pituitary coma is a rare case of emergency and primarily due to ACTH and TSH deficiency. Pituitary coma occurs more often in patients with well-known pituitary deficiency than in patients with intrasellar tumor. Clinical manifestations are hypotonia, bradycardia, decreased skin and nipple pigmentation, muscle weakness, vomitus, nausea, obstipation, hypothermia, and hypoventilation. A postpartal agalactia is often the first sign of Sheehan's syndrome. Unlike primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) ACTH deficiency does not cause hyperpigmentation, hyperkalemia, or salt loss. The suspicion of pituitary coma requires replacement with 100 mg hydrocortisone iv, 200 mg hydrocortisone iv/24 h, 500 micro g levothyroxine iv and fluid substitution. Since thyroxine accelerates the degradation of cortisol and can precipitate adrenal crisis in patients with limited pituitary reserve, hydrocortisone replacement should always precede levothyroxine therapy. ACTH stimulation test, CRH stimulation test and insulin tolerance test (optional) should be performed after therapeutic compensation to determine pituitary function.