Pituitary apoplexy: early detection with diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is defined as a clinical syndrome that may include headache, visual deficits, ophthalmoplegia, or altered mental status. It may result from either infarction or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland. Prognosis is significantly improved with early diagnosis and surgical treatment. We report two cases in which diffusion-weighted MR imaging assisted in the early detection of acute pituitary infarction and led, in one case, to surgical intervention early in the course of clinical apoplexy, with resulting complete recovery.