eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Endocrine Disorders

Pituitary Apoplexy: Follow-up

Author: Michael S Vaphiades, DO, Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Electrophysiology Services, University of Alabama; Consulting Staff, Children's Hospital, Birmingham
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 6, 2009

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Monitor metabolic status, visual acuity, and visual fields.

Complications

  • Complications include optic neuritis, acute ophthalmoplegia, increased intracranial pressure, extraocular muscle paralysis, and ptosis.

Prognosis

  • Pituitary apoplexy can be a life-threatening condition, which is not easily diagnosed or treated.

Patient Education

  • Educate patients about the disorder and the complications that can arise from the treatment of the disorder.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Pituitary apoplexy is difficult to diagnose, and care should be taken to fully examine patients with subtle symptoms that include headache and both visual field loss and visual acuity loss.
 


More on Pituitary Apoplexy

Overview: Pituitary Apoplexy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Pituitary Apoplexy
Treatment & Medication: Pituitary Apoplexy
Follow-up: Pituitary Apoplexy
References
Further Reading
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References

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Keywords

pituitary apoplexy, pituitary adenoma, neurologic impairment, endocrine stimulation, bromocriptine treatment, head trauma, pregnancy, pituitary irradiation

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Michael S Vaphiades, DO, Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Electrophysiology Services, University of Alabama; Consulting Staff, Children's Hospital, Birmingham
Michael S Vaphiades, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Osteopathic Association, and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Edsel Ing, MD, FRCSC, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, University of Toronto: Consulting Staff, Toronto East General Hospital
Edsel Ing, MD, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Physician Executives, American Society of Contemporary Ophthalmology, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Brian R Younge, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Brian R Younge, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Ophthalmological Society, and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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