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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
[Pituitary insufficiency following head trauma]
Marianne C Klose1, Anders Juul, Lars Poulsgaard
1Rigshospitalet, Endokrinologisk Afdeling, Afdelingen for Vaekst, København Ø. klose@rh.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|January 20, 2007
Summary
Traumatic brain injury can cause hypopituitarism (a pituitary hormone deficiency), affecting at least 25% of survivors. Early neuroendocrine evaluation is crucial for recovery and rehabilitation in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurology
- Trauma Research
Context:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a known, though often underestimated, cause of acquired hypopituitarism.
- Current clinical practice rarely includes routine neuroendocrine evaluation for TBI patients.
- Emerging evidence indicates a higher prevalence of hypopituitarism in TBI survivors than previously recognized.
Purpose:
- To review the current understanding of hypopituitarism following TBI.
- To highlight the underdiagnosis and potential consequences of untreated hypopituitarism in TBI patients.
- To advocate for the integration of neuroendocrine assessment in TBI management.
Summary:
- Acquired hypopituitarism is a significant complication of traumatic brain injury.
- Prevalence studies suggest at least 25% of long-term TBI survivors may have hypopituitarism.
- Untreated hypopituitarism can impede recovery and rehabilitation processes.
Impact:
- This review underscores the need to re-evaluate current management protocols for TBI.
- Implementing routine neuroendocrine screening can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of hypopituitarism.
- Optimizing pituitary hormone function in TBI survivors may improve long-term outcomes and quality of life.
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