Hypophysitis: A comprehensive overview

Hypophysitis is defined as inflammation of the pituitary gland. It is a heterogeneous condition as it can originate from different parts of the pituitary gland, can be caused by different pathophysiological processes, and can be isolated or the manifestation of a underlying systemic disease. Hypophysitis usually presents with endocrine deficiencies, including diabetes insipidus, with varying patterns. A subset of patients presents with mass effects. The last decades major progress has been made in the understanding of this disease. New forms are now recognized, new diagnostics are being developed, and specific treatments are proposed. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on hypophysitis using an aetiology-based approach and provides the clinician with a stepwise approach to the patient with (suspected) hypophysitis. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Automated summary

Hypophysitis is characterized by inflammation of the pituitary gland, which can originate from different parts and pathophysiological processes. It often presents with endocrine deficiencies and can also have mass effects. Significant progress has been made in understanding this disease in recent years, including recognizing new forms, developing new diagnostics, and proposing specific treatments.