Lymphocytic hypophysitis: unusual features of a rare disorder

Abstract

Objective: Lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare disorder which usually affects women and is often associated with pregnancy. We reviewed our experience of this disorder in order to see whether these features were universal amongst our patients.

Design: A retrospective review of case notes.

Patients: Four patients with histologically proven lymphocytic hypophysitis.

Measurements: Each patient had undergone full radiological and biochemical assessment of anterior and posterior pituitary function.

Results: Only one woman presented during pregnancy, one patient was a man with coexistent active acromegaly, and one progressed over 5 years to panhypopituitarism. In one further patient, histological analysis revealed normal anterior pituitary tissue adjacent to lymphocytic follicles.

Conclusions: Lymphocytic hypophysitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with a pituitary mass. We suggest that the entire removal of such a mass is warranted both for accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment.