Diagnosis and Management of Pituitary Apoplexy in Adult Patients

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare medical emergency in patients with pituitary tumours. Patients may present at emergency departments or at different medical services and this can lead to diagnostic difficulties and delays. Pituitary apoplexy is caused by a rapid increase in the size of the intrasellar contents leading to increase in the intrasellar pressure. This increased pressure may lead to loss of blood supply to the pituitary gland causing infarction, tumour cell death, bleeding, and tumour swelling. Patient can present with sudden onset of headache, vomiting, visual impairment, and decreased consciousness.