[Granulomatous hypophysitis probably of autoimmune etiology. A case diagnosed post mortem]

We report a case of idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis diagnosed at autopsy in a 69-year-old female who, after endocrine coma, died from gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Immunohistochemical studies disclosed a predominance of T-lymphocytes in the inflammatory pituitary infiltrates. In addition to hypophysitis, lymphocytic thyroiditis and adrenalitis lesions and atrophic gastritis were found. These findings, consistent with autoimmune disease, are similar to those reported for lymphocytic hypophysitis, and raise the possibility that both types of hypophysitis are different aspects of the same condition.