Artikel
Pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury
Hypophysen-Dysfunktionen nach Schädel-Hirn-Verletzungen
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 4. Mai 2005 |
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Gliederung
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Objective
Recent data have suggested that significant pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury is common. The pathomechanism leading to these dysfunction is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and kind of pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury after a longer time interval.
Methods
A total of 50 patients (30 male, 20 female, mean age 50.8, age range 16-88 years) with a history of traumatic brain injury at least 1 year ago were included in this prospective study so far. Basal hormone values and dynamic testing of pituitary function was performed using combined anterior pituitary test and glucose tolerance test. The results were correlated to data on the mechanism and magnitude of accident and the consecutive trauma sequels.
Results
In 9 patients (18%) the dysfunction of at least one hormone axis could be demonstrated. These dysfunctions were not related to Glasgow Coma Scale score, age or the presence of other pituitary hormone abnormalities (p>0.05).
Conclusions
There is a high prevalence of undiagnosed anterior pituitary hormone abnormalities in patients following traumatic brain injury. Hypopituitarism is a condition that can cause significant morbidity following traumatic brain injury. Treatment of hormone deficiencies may reduce morbidity and improve quality of life in patients following severe head injury.