Iatrogenic Hypothalamic Disorders

Hypothalamic diseases cause secretory dysfunction of its releasing hormones subsequently resulting in hypopituitarism. Knowledge of the hypothalamic nuclei, fibers, connections, and their specific functions guide the clinician on potential consequences with hypothalamic disorders. Etiologies for hypothalamic conditions range from malignancy, autoimmune conditions, infection, trauma, functional, vascular insufficiency, and iatrogenic, among others. Iatrogenic hypothalamic disorders can be classified according to the general treatment and/or diagnostic modality the patient was exposed to resulting in hypothalamic disorder. Knowledge of these specific modalities can potentially guide planning for diagnostics and treatment approaches involving the hypothalamus. This chapter focuses on iatrogenic hypothalamic disorders due to medical or non-surgical and surgical testing, pharmaceuticals, or procedures and will provide insight on how to potentially prevent or avoid these iatrogenic effects.