[Pituitary insufficiency after traumatic brain injury: consequences? Screening?]

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury has been considered for long as a rare cause of hypopituitarism. Recent studies have already shown a prevalence of 30% of pituitary dysfunction following moderate or severe head injury that may persist into the chronic phase of recovery, hypogonadism and GH deficiency being the most common hormonal deficiencies. Hypopituitarism may impede recovery and contribute to chronic disability in these patients. However, there are limited data available regarding the impact of hypopituitarism, and the indications of hormonal replacement (especially GH replacement and hypogonadism treatment) still remain to be defined. The screening strategy for TBI - induced hypopituitarism has recently been revised.