Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical syndrome secondary to haemorrhage or infarction
of pituitary adenoma. The prevalence is 2-12% of pituitary adenoma patients especially
in nonfunctioning tumours but may be found in medically treated adenomas as well.
Its clinical picture is sudden onset of headache with visual disturbances and/or ocular
palsy. Meningeal signs and altered consciousness can occur. Corticotropin deficiency
if untreated can lead to adrenal insufficiency. Compared to computed tomography, magnetic
resonance imaging better demonstrates the haemorrhage or even infarction of pituitary
adenoma. Retrospective studies emphasize the wait-and-see management instead of the
formerly considered urgent neurosurgical intervention.
