Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Preparation of Mouse Pituitary Immunogen for the Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis
Published on: December 17, 2010
Hypophysitis presenting with atypical rapid deterioration: with special reference to immunoglobulin G4-related
Shinichiro Osawa1, Yoshikazu Ogawa, Mika Watanabe
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kohnan Hospital, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
Abstract:
Primary hypophysitis is believed to be a chronic inflammation of the pituitary tissue caused by the autoimmune mechanism. The disease can be classified based on morphology and histology simultaneously, but the relationships between these subtypes remain unclarified. Moreover, hypophysitis may occur as a part of systemic immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related plasmacytic disease. A 74-year-old woman was initially diagnosed with infundibulo-hypophysitis. After a long period of stability, she suffered rapid deterioration with evolving endocrinopathies and visual symptoms. Biopsy specimen established the diagnosis as granulomatous hypophysitis with positive reaction for IgG4 in infiltrating plasma cells. Postoperative glucocorticoid administration improved her condition dramatically. This case illustrates two interesting points: The rapid deterioration after a long stable clinical course, and the presence of IgG4-positive tissue in the pituitary gland, which can be considered as "primary" hypophysitis with no systemic IgG4-related disease in other organs.
Related Concept Videos
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
