Autoimmune hypophysitis: a single centre experience.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Neurology

Background:

• Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is a rare inflammatory disorder affecting the pituitary gland.
• It is characterized by immune system attack on pituitary cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical features and outcomes of patients diagnosed with autoimmune hypophysitis.
• To understand the presentation, hormonal deficiencies, imaging findings, and treatment responses in AH.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 15 patients diagnosed with AH between 1988 and 2006.
• Review of clinical data, hormonal levels, imaging results, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• 14 females and 1 male identified; 3 presented peripartum.
• Common symptoms included headache, vomiting, and visual defects due to sellar mass.
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency was most common (67%), followed by TSH (53%) and gonadotropins (40%).
• Imaging showed sellar masses in 87% and stalk thickening in 33%.
• Surgery was rarely required; 10/13 patients with sellar masses showed spontaneous regression without immunosuppression.

Conclusions:

• AH presents with a higher female-to-male ratio and lower incidence of peripartum cases in this series.
• Mass effect symptoms are common, with ACTH deficiency being the most frequent hormonal deficit.
• Spontaneous resolution of sellar masses is common, often obviating the need for surgery.