Guide To Treating Pituitary Apoplexy

The pituitary gland is found at the base of the brain. It is responsible for telling other organs and glands what to do! This includes the adrenal glands and thyroid. Pituitary apoplexy is a rare medical emergency. However, it compromises this gland's proper function! Most cases are due to a pituitary tumor causes profuse bleeding or damage to this gland. Patients experience symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and double vision. Eye movement paralysis and a sudden, severe headache are two other symptoms!

Timely treatment for pituitary apoplexy is essential! Many patients take medications for pituitary apoplexy. However, there are several other options! Patients must understand all options and assess them to ensure that they receive the best pituitary apoplexy treatment for their case.

Cortisol Replacement Therapy

The adrenal glands are above the kidneys. They make cortisol! This hormone is a significant part of many functions in the body. For instance, it is often called the stress hormone! Cortisol is necessary for life. However, patients with pituitary apoplexy have issues with cortisol. This is because the pituitary gland sends a signal to the adrenal glands to make and release this hormone. Thus, damage to this gland means not enough cortisol in the body!

This is why patients receive cortisol replacement therapy! This therapy uses medication to replace cortisol in the body! One example is hydrocortisone! This ingredient is also seen in anti-itch creams. However, patients receiving this therapy take it orally or intravenously!

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Surgical Decompression

Surgical decompression is a common method of treating this condition. It stops bleeding and reduces pressure on the pituitary gland! Patients with severe symptoms often receive this treatment. It is also used when individuals are dealing with low consciousness or significant vision issues. Thankfully, this surgery is fairly simple. Doctors access the pituitary gland through the patient's nose in this procedure. They do not need to cut into their skull!

Of course, this surgery has complications! Patients must be monitored after this procedure. This is to ensure that their gland is functioning properly. If it is not, they need additional treatment. Some patients also experience diabetes insipidus right after this surgery. This condition means that their kidneys are not regulating fluid correctly. The good news is that this usually resolves after patients recover from surgery!

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Dopamine Agonists

Every individual needs dopamine. After all, this is a critical neurotransmitter! It is responsible for body movement. However, many pituitary apoplexy patients do not have the proper amount! This is because of causes such as prolactinoma. This tumor makes the pituitary gland produce too much of a specific hormone.

Thankfully, a great treatment in these cases is a dopamine agonist! This type of medication imitates natural dopamine. It performs the same actions! An example used in this condition is cabergoline. Of course, patients must be watched when they take this type of medication. It is also a risk factor for pituitary apoplexy!

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Gamma Knife Radiation Therapy

Some patients with this condition need gamma knife radiation therapy. This treatment is a highly focused form of radiation therapy. It treats pituitary apoplexy when other treatments leave part of the tumor behind! This method sees success in fifty to ninety percent of cases. Of course, this varies based on each patient! This treatment is quite safe. However, side effects include hemorrhage and brain edema. Others are necrosis and seizures!

The radiation beam in this treatment is extremely precise. Surrounding tissues are unaffected! Patients need various imaging techniques before this procedure. They will also have a steel halo fitted to their head to assist with the beam's delivery! Gamma knife radiation therapy will reduce or even destroy the tumor without influencing the gland's function. It also does not impair the patient's vision!

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Long-Term Patient Monitoring

The good news is that the majority of patients recover fully from this condition! However, treatment does not end immediately. Patients need long-term monitoring! The reason is that many pituitary tumors come back and trigger this condition again. Most patients see an endocrinologist for their monitoring. These are specialists with training in the body's glandular system and how it needs to work!

Hormone replacement therapy is a common part of the monitoring process. Many individuals need this treatment for the rest of their life! Regular blood tests are standard for patients. They check hormone levels! These tests also verify proper pituitary gland function! Regular MRI scans check for tumor regrowth. Thankfully, close monitoring provides patients with a great prognosis!