Diseases of the Pituitary Gland

Abstract A wide variety of distinct pathological conditions may affect the pituitary, causing hormonal dysfunction and/or compression of surrounding structures. This chapter describes and illustrates the main pituitary lesions. Pituitary adenomas represent 10% to 20% of intracranial neoplasms in neurosurgical series. Their classifications are based on multiple factors, including histology and immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure and endocrine activity. Pituitary carcinomas are extremely rare. Pituitary hyperplasia is a rare cause of pituitary hyperfunction. Inflammatory (lymphocytic hypophysitis, granulomatous hypophysitis) and vascular (pituitary infarction, pituitary apoplexy, Sheehan syndrome) lesions can cause hypopituitarism. Craniopharyngiomas are the second most common neoplasm of the sellar region, following pituitary adenomas, and the most common suprasellar neoplasm in children.