Hypopituitarism after surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE

The causes of hypopituitarism in adult life are most frequently cerebral tumors, pituitary infarction, head trauma, pituitary surgery, or irradiation. We report a case of hypopituitarism after surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Two previous cases after the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm have been reported.

METHODS

Case report.

METHODS

One 42-yr-old man.

RESULTS

A 42-yr-old man was admitted as an emergency for unconsciousness. The computed tomography showed a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage, and specific angiography showed an aneurysm in the internal carotid. The aneurysm was successfully clipped through craniotomy. The patient's hospital course was marked by a few episodes of pulmonary infection, and a tracheotomy was performed. The patient was transferred to the rehabilitation unit; he received a rating of 9 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. Seven months after rupture of the aneurysm, the patient was readmitted to the intensive care unit for septic shock, with pulmonary infection associated with vomiting and diarrhea. Despite standard therapy and inotropic support, there was no improvement of his clinical condition. Adrenal failure was then suspected. Treatment was started immediately with hydrocortisone (50 mg) four times a day. Within hours, his clinical condition improved. The following month, the patient was weaned off his tracheotomy and had nearly recovered. Endocrine tests confirmed the cortisol insufficiency but also hypothyroidism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism secondary to hypopituitarism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case is the first one reported of hypopituitarism after surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.