Wichers M, Kristof R A, Springer W, Schramm J, Klingmüller D
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.
Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1997;139(10):992-4. doi: 10.1007/BF01411312.
A case of pituitary apoplexy occurring after Gd-DTPA-administration for contrast enhanced MRI in a patient with an hGH-producing macro-adenoma is presented. Within days the initially increased hGH level fell to the normal range, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a normal suppression of hGH and complete anterior pituitary insufficiency developed. At this time repeated MRI suggested a haemorrhagic infarction of the macro-adenoma. Fourteen months later re-examination confirmed spontaneous cure of the acromegaly, improvement of adenopituitary function and shrinkage of the sellar content. The causal linkage between the pituitary adenoma apoplexy and Gd-DTPA-administration is unclear. It might be due to contrast induced blood pressure and endothelial permeability changes, possibly promoted by pre-existing diabetes mellitus associated vasculopathy.
