A Rare Case of Recurrent Lymphocytic Hypophysitis Spanning 8 Years

Background: Lymphocytic Hypophysitis (LH) is predominantly a self-limiting condition. Reports of recurrent LH have been limited to case series, predominantly within first two years of initial presentation (1). There is paucity of data on long term follow up of these cases and late recurrence of LH is considered very rare (2). Clinical Case: We describe the clinical course of a 47-year female, who first presented to us, 8 years back, with headache, visual disturbance and secondary amenorrhea. Her MRI pituitary was suggestive of a pituitary mass, which was removed by trans-sphenoidal surgery. Histopathology of the mass was suggestive of LH. Patient had symptomatic improvement, and remained well on out-patient follow-up, on hormone replacement therapy. She took replacement dose of glucocorticoid for 4 years after the initial surgery and then it was discontinued. However, she re-presented to us with headache and visual disturbance this time associated with xerostomia and xerophthalmia. In this presentation, due to presence of sicca symptoms a suspicion of autoimmune aetiology was kept. Her lab parameters were consistent with pan hypopituitarism along with new appearance of anti-TPO antibodies. She underwent two consecutive trans-sphenoidal surgeries for relief of pressure symptoms, and has been started immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticoids along with methotrexate. Other causes of recurrent hyophysitis, as IgG4 related Hypophysitis, were excluded by immunohistochemistry and normal serum IgG4 level (0.72g/l). She has since been discharged, and remains well on outpatient follow-up with no mass effect. MRI pituitary done at 2 months follow up is not suggestive of residual regrowth or mass effect. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of long term follow up of LH patients. Other autoimmune aetiology maybe considered in cases unresponsive to standard treatment, necessitating titration of additional immunosuppressive therapy. References: 1.M.N. Joshi et al, Hypophysitis: diagnosis and treatment, European Journal of Endocrinology 2018, 179, R151-R1632.Honegger et al, Treatment of Primary Hypophysitis in Germany: Journal Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, September 2015, 100(9):3460 –3469