[Pituitary insufficiency following head trauma]

Abstract

Brain injury following head trauma is a potential cause of acquired hypopituitarism, although regarded as uncommon. Consequently, such patients do not routinely undergo neuroendocrine evaluation. Recent data suggest hypopituitarism to be more common than previously stated, with a prevalence of at least 25% in long-term survivors. As untreated hypopituitarism is likely to delay recovery and rehabilitation, this calls for a change in the current management of patients suffering traumatic brain injury. In this article, we will review current knowledge in this field.