Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Hypophysitis in SJL Mice
Published on: December 17, 2010
Coronavirus as a trigger of lymphocytic hypophysitis in an adolescent girl: An exceptional case report
Dounia Zerrouki1, Imane Assarrar1, Imane Rami1
1Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology-Nutrition, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Medical School, Mohammed the First University, Oujda, Morocco.
Introduction And Importance:
Lymphocytic hypophysitis is an underestimated disease and the pathogenesis is still poorly elucidated. Post-coronavirus lymphocytic hypophysitis is a new emerging entity.
Case Presentation:
A 16-year-old previously healthy girl presented with pituitary tumor syndrome. She suffered from frontal headaches, polyuria-polydipsic syndrome, and impaired visual acuity. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection three weeks before. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pituitary enlargement with intense homogenous enhancement postgadolinium on T1 weighted images. The diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis was made after ruling out other differential diagnosis. She was started on methylprednisolone. Improvement of clinical symptoms was seen on day 5 with a significant decrease in headache intensity.
Clinical Discussion:
The article summarizes data from cases reported in the literature and our case to highlight coronavirus as a new trigger of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Despite the rarity of this complication, patients with a suspicion of hypophysitis after a recent COVID-19 infection should be carefully evaluated.
Conclusion:
COVID-19 infection can cause lymphocytic hypophysitis. However, it seems premature to conclude on the causal link between COVID-19 and endocrine diseases. Further studies on larger samples are needed to comprehend the pathogenesis of autoimmune endocrinopathies after COVID-19 infection.
