LYMPHOCYTIC HYPOPHYSITIS - UNIQUE PITUITA RY MASS LESION

Lymphocytic hypophysitis mimicking pituitary adenoma represents a rare autoimmune disease which may be associated with other endocrinologica l autoimmune disorders. The rarity of lymphocytic hypophysitis, as wel l as the lack of specific clinical markers or radiological features, m akes it clinically difficult to differentiate from pituitary adenoma, necessitating histological investigation. Most patients are females du ring late pregnancy or in the postpartal period presenting with hypopi tuitarism. Male patients or non-pregnancy-associated women are only ra rely affected. We report on a postmenopausal woman suffering from a hy percalcaemic syndrome, where endocrinological examination revealed a p ituitary tumour associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Histopathologi cal findings disclosed lymphocytic hypophysitis. This case report unde rscores that lymphocytic hypophysitis has to be considered in the diff erential diagnosis of sellar mass lesions, especially in certain clini cal settings (i.e. female patients, peripartal period, pituitary insuf ficiency, associated autoimmune disorders).