A rare pituitary disease characterized by hemorrhagic or non-hemorrhagic necrosis of the pituitary gland. Clinical manifestations typically comprise sudden and severe headache (often with nausea and vomiting), visual disturbances (visual-field defects, loss of visual acuity), oculomotor palsies, and variable degrees of altered consciousness, ranging from lethargy to coma. Acute endocrine dysfunction may also be present, most commonly corticotropic deficiency with severe hypotension and hyponatremia as well as secondary adrenal failure, but also thyrotropic and gonadotropic deficiency.

The sudden loss of blood supply to the PITUITARY GLAND, leading to tissue NECROSIS and loss of function (PANHYPOPITUITARISM). The most common cause is hemorrhage or INFARCTION of a PITUITARY ADENOMA. It can also result from acute hemorrhage into SELLA TURCICA due to HEAD TRAUMA; INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION; or other acute effects of central nervous system hemorrhage. Clinical signs include severe HEADACHE; HYPOTENSION; bilateral visual disturbances; UNCONSCIOUSNESS; and COMA.

(pituitary gland apoplexy) A rare, potentially life-threatening disorder caused by acute ischemic infarction or hemorrhage in the pituitary gland. It is most often associated with the presence of a pituitary gland adenoma. Signs and symptoms include headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, and endocrine dysfunction.

The word apoplexy is defined as a sudden neurologic impairment, usually due to a vascular process. Pituitary apoplexy is characterized by a sudden onset of headache, visual symptoms, altered mental status, and hormonal dysfunction due to acute hemorrhage or infarction of a pituitary gland.