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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Hypopituitarism caused by carotid cavernous fistula
Shadi Sadeghi Yarandi1, Mohammad Ali Khoshnoodi, Prakash Chandra
1Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, U.S.A. ssadeg2@emory.edu
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) can present as a sellar lesion, causing pituitary dysfunction. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of CCF are crucial for managing hormonal imbalances and neurological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) are rare vascular malformations.
- Sellar lesions can present with diverse neurological and endocrine symptoms.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old woman presented with headache, nausea, vomiting, proptosis, and ptosis.
- Laboratory results revealed hyponatremia, hypocortisolism, secondary hypothyroidism, and low FSH/LH levels.
Findings:
- CT angiography identified a sellar vascular lesion, confirmed as CCF via conventional angiography.
- The CCF was treated with coil placement, and hormonal deficiencies were managed with hormone replacement therapy.
Implications:
- CCF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sellar masses.
- Patients with CCF exhibiting hyponatremia, hypotension, or hypothyroidism require pituitary function evaluation.
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