[A woman with a pituitary stone]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Pituitary stones are rare calcifications within the pituitary gland.
• Metabolic imbalances are implicated in pituitary stone formation.
• Acute neurological symptoms like nystagmus and vertigo can be presenting signs.

Observation:

• A 78-year-old female presented with sudden onset nystagmus and vertigo.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a pituitary stone.
• Endocrinological evaluation revealed hypercalcemia (corrected serum calcium 2.77 mmol/L).

Findings:

• Nuclear radiology confirmed primary hyperparathyroidism as the underlying cause.
• The pituitary stone was associated with metabolic derangement.
• This case highlights a rare presentation of a pituitary stone.

Implications:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism should be considered in patients with pituitary stones and hypercalcemia.
• Understanding the metabolic underpinnings of pituitary stones is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• This case contributes to the literature on rare pituitary pathologies and their neurological manifestations.