Electroconvulsive therapy for iatrogenic hypothalamic-hypopituitarism (CRF-ACTH type)

Abstract

A 41-year-old man with hypothalamic hypopituitarism (CRF-ACTH type) that persisted for 2 years after discontinuation of exogenous dexamethasone was treated with bilateral ECT for severe chronic depression. The depression improved only evanescently after 17 ECT sessions but the hypothalamic-pituitary suppression cleared completely and permanently, based on responses to four metyrapone stress tests in a 2-year follow-up period. ECT may be an effective treatment for persistent hypothalamic-pituitary suppression, even in the absence of a psychiatric disorder.