Hypopituitarism

When a tumor grows within the pituitary gland, the tumor can damage to the pituitary tissue causing a disturbance in hormone release. Hypopituitarism is mostly aquired more than inherited. Other causes of hypopituitarism are:

• Head injuries
• Tumors and diseases in the brain
• Genetic mutations
• Stroke

If you have hypopituitarism, the most common symptoms that you will experience are:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Difficulty adjusting to temperature changes
• Loss of appetite
• Anemia
• Facial puffiness

Hypopituitarism can be diagnosed by gathering a blood sample to test for erratic levels hormomes. MRIs and CT scans are done to find the size and location of a tumor or other abnormalities.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – MRI shows the soft tissues of the body and gives clearer picture of the skull base and spine.
Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)- Combined CT scan and myleography produces image that clearly show both the bone structures of the spine and the nerve structures

Each hypopituitarism patient is different. Factors that impact the course of treatment and outcome are patient’s overall health condition, age, gender, tumor location and size. The best treatment for hypopituitarism is surgical removal. At ONE® Brain & Spine Center® , your Southern California neurosurgeons, perform minimally invasive procedures to surgically remove the tumor.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments

• • Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery- The endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical procedure uses a light called endoscope inserted into the nostril and sphenoid sinus to access and remove pituitary tumors. The term transsphenoidal literally means “through the sphenoid sinus.”