[Hypophysitis mimicking a pituitary adenoma (report of 3 cases)]

Three cases of rare chronic hypophysitis found by surgery are reported, with a review of the related literature. Two main types of inflammatory lesions of the pituitary gland are described: lymphocytic hypophysitis (LCH) and giant-cell granulomatous hypophysitis (GGH). These present clinically as a pituitary tumor but are characterized by distinct hypopituitarism with a slightly enlarged sella turcica. Only a few cases present as hyperprolactinemia. The inflammatory process may be resolved with hormonal replacement alone for LCH, while surgical intervention is proposed for GGH.