Disorders of the Pituitary Gland
Caused by pituitary adenomas, ischemic necrosis, pituitary surgery, radiation, or injury. Symptoms; hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and infertility, hypocortisolism, decreased prolactin, and decreased Growth Hormone. May also exhibit loss of lateral fields of vision owing to compression of optic chiasm. Treatment; hormone replacement, surgical removal of adenoma.
Prolactinoma
Caused by pituitary lactotroph adenoma. Symptoms; Amenorrhea in women or impotence in men, infertility, galactorrhea (spontaneous flow of milk from breast). May exhibit visual disturbances due to compression of optic chasm. Treatment; Bromocriptine to suppress prolactin secretion. Surgery or radiation to remove adenoma.
Acromegaly and Gigantism
Caused by pituitary somatotropic adenoma. Symptoms; Gigantism in children, Acromegaly in adults; resulting in, enlargement of hands and feet, skull and mandible, weight gain, insulin resistance, hypertension, cardiomegaly and cardiac failure. Possible visual disturbances due to compression of optic chiasm. Treatment; Octreotide to decrease GH release, surgical removal of adenoma.
Craniopharyngioma
A benign tumor that develops near the pituitary gland. Occurs most commonly in childhood. Symptoms; increased pressure on the brain, Damage to the optic nerve leading to visual disturbances. Can also lead to excessive thirst, excessive urination, and stunted growth, and diabetes insipidus. Treatment: surgical removal of the adenoma.
Causes include pulmonary disorders, trauma, haemorrhage, stroke, pharmacologic agents, or pain. Also through tumors. Symptoms; fatigue and confusion, Treatment; fluid restriction, medications to reduce ADH, and fluid retention.
Diabetes Insipidus
Deficiency of ADH secretion, Symptoms; excessive and prolonged thirst, needing to urinate frequently, passing large amounts of urine. Treatment; synthetic vasopressin, low sodium diet.
- Disorders of the Anterior Pituitary
Caused by pituitary adenomas, ischemic necrosis, pituitary surgery, radiation, or injury. Symptoms; hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and infertility, hypocortisolism, decreased prolactin, and decreased Growth Hormone. May also exhibit loss of lateral fields of vision owing to compression of optic chiasm. Treatment; hormone replacement, surgical removal of adenoma.
Prolactinoma
Caused by pituitary lactotroph adenoma. Symptoms; Amenorrhea in women or impotence in men, infertility, galactorrhea (spontaneous flow of milk from breast). May exhibit visual disturbances due to compression of optic chasm. Treatment; Bromocriptine to suppress prolactin secretion. Surgery or radiation to remove adenoma.
Acromegaly and Gigantism
Caused by pituitary somatotropic adenoma. Symptoms; Gigantism in children, Acromegaly in adults; resulting in, enlargement of hands and feet, skull and mandible, weight gain, insulin resistance, hypertension, cardiomegaly and cardiac failure. Possible visual disturbances due to compression of optic chiasm. Treatment; Octreotide to decrease GH release, surgical removal of adenoma.
Craniopharyngioma
A benign tumor that develops near the pituitary gland. Occurs most commonly in childhood. Symptoms; increased pressure on the brain, Damage to the optic nerve leading to visual disturbances. Can also lead to excessive thirst, excessive urination, and stunted growth, and diabetes insipidus. Treatment: surgical removal of the adenoma.
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary
Causes include pulmonary disorders, trauma, haemorrhage, stroke, pharmacologic agents, or pain. Also through tumors. Symptoms; fatigue and confusion, Treatment; fluid restriction, medications to reduce ADH, and fluid retention.
Diabetes Insipidus
Deficiency of ADH secretion, Symptoms; excessive and prolonged thirst, needing to urinate frequently, passing large amounts of urine. Treatment; synthetic vasopressin, low sodium diet.
