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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis in SJL Mice
Published on: December 17, 2010
Lymphocytic hypophysitis with a long latent period before development of a pituitary mass
Rene W G Wong1, Teik Chye Ooi, Brien Benoit
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Canada.
Background:
Lymphocytic hypophysitis is an autoimmune condition that commonly presents in women of childbearing age as hypopituitarism and a sellar mass.
Case Report:
A 66-year-old woman presented with anterior pituitary dysfunction. Computed tomography imaging revealed a small hypodensity that was not felt to be the cause of the pituitary dysfunction. Eight years later, her vision rapidly deteriorated and MRI showed a pituitary mass lesion causing optic chiasm compression. Histological examination of the partially resected gland revealed evidence of lymphocytic hypophysitis.
Conclusion:
Our patient is an example of the variable presentation and course of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Such a long latent period between the initial presentation of adenohypophysial hypofunction and optic chiasm compression due to an enlarging pituitary mass has not been reported.
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