From Social Issue To Neurosurgery: A Case Of Panhypopituitarism

Abstract

Panhypopituitarism results from a low or absent pituitary function
and its recognition is challenging. We report the case of
a 42-year old female, mentally handicapped overweight, short
stature that was brought to the emergency room for gonarthrosis.
After medical discharge, she was admitted as a social case.
It was then noticed that she displayed polydipsia, polyuria and
primary amenorrhea. Complementary exams showed panhypopituitarism
and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging study
showed an arachnoid cyst of congenital nature. She was submitted
to surgical and medical care with positive evolution. An
early approach could have dramatically altered the life-course
of this patient. Her low economic status allowed for this clinical
picture to go unnoticed, however it was also the event that led
to the current clinical investigation. We wish to emphasize the
clinical polymorphism of panhypopituitarism and the need for a
high index of suspicion, even in difficult social contexts.