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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
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Penetrating brain injury with hypopituitarism
Rachel D Appelbaum1, Kristina E Neri2, Kristin A Rebo3
1Wake Forest School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Trauma Case Reports
|March 14, 2022
Summary
A gunshot wound to the face caused traumatic brain injury (TBI) leading to hypopituitarism. Prompt pituitary function screening and treatment are crucial for recovery after such injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Skull base injuries, particularly those involving the sphenoid sinus, can disrupt pituitary function.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to complex endocrine sequelae.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old male with a facial gunshot wound presented with a sphenoid sinus fracture and a ballistic fragment.
- Imaging revealed a posterior wall sphenoid sinus fracture with adjacent blood products.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with hypopituitarism, including central diabetes insipidus, central hypothyroidism, and adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency.
- This endocrine dysfunction was secondary to the skull base injury.
Implications:
- Skull base injuries can cause a wide spectrum of pituitary dysfunction.
- Clinical suspicion warrants thorough pituitary function screening and timely treatment.
- Early management of pituitary insufficiency aids in TBI rehabilitation.
