Differentials

Common

Prolactinoma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures); fatigue and low libido; in women of reproductive age: oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and infertility

Exam

signs of hyperprolactinemia (hirsutism and acne in women, galactorrhea in premenopausal women, gynecomastia in men); signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); signs of hypogonadism (small or shrinking testes, loss of axillary and pubic hair; reduced shaving)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

  • serum prolactin:

    macroadenoma, usually >200 nanograms/mL;[51] microadenoma, 2-200 nanograms/mL

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Nonfunctional adenoma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Gonadotropin-secreting adenoma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures); amenorrhea, precocious puberty, hypersexuality

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

  • follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and/or LH-alpha subunit:

    elevated

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Lactotroph hyperplasia

History

current or recent pregnancy; nausea and vomiting, breast enlargement

Exam

nonspecific findings

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    variable; may show diffuse gland enlargement

  • pregnancy test:

    positive

  • serum prolactin:

    elevated

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Uncommon

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting adenoma

History

weight gain, proximal muscle weakness, menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, easy bruising, fatigue, and low libido; symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

central obesity, supraclavicular and cervical fat accumulation, facial rounding, purplish striae on skin, muscle wasting, hypertension; signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

  • 24-hour urinary cortisol:

    >50 micrograms/24 hours

  • late-night salivary cortisol:

    elevated; normal range 2300-2400 nanograms/dL

    More
  • serum ACTH:

    elevated

    More
Other investigations
  • low-dose dexamethasone suppression test:

    8 a.m. cortisol >1.8 micrograms/dL

    More
  • high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests:

    suppression of cortisol <50% of the baseline value

    More
  • petrosal venous sinus catheterization:

    elevated central-to-peripheral ACTH ratio (>2:1 at baseline or >3:1 after corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation)

    More
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenoma

History

history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, colonic polyps; symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

coarsening of facial features, prominent jaw and frontal bossing, enlarged feet and hands, macroglossia, hyperhidrosis; signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); skeletal complications such as nerve entrapment (carpal tunnel syndrome) or arthralgias

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

  • serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1):

    elevated

    More
  • oral glucose tolerance test:

    serum GH level >1 nanogram/mL is seen in patients with acromegaly

    More
Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting adenoma

History

weight loss, palpitations, tremors, heat intolerance, visual-field defects (40%), menstrual disturbances (30%), galactorrhea

Exam

diffuse goiter, warm moist skin; visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

  • TSH:

    normal or elevated

  • free T4/T3:

    elevated alpha subunit elevated

Other investigations
  • prolactin:

    normal or elevated

  • random growth hormone:

    normal or elevated

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Thyrotroph hyperplasia

History

history of longstanding primary hypothyroidism; weakness, fatigue, lethargy, headaches, cold intolerance, hearing impairment, constipation, muscle cramps, modest weight gain, galactorrhea, decreased memory, depression

Exam

dry, coarse skin, impassive facial expression, bradycardia, reduced body and scalp hair, delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    variable; may show diffuse gland enlargement

  • thryoid-stimulating hormone:

    elevated

  • free T4/T3:

    low

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Gonadotroph hyperplasia

History

history of longstanding hypogonadism; fatigue, low libido, and erectile dysfunction in men; oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, hot flashes and sweats in women; reduced fertility

Exam

signs of hypogonadism (short stature, small or shrinking testes, loss of axillary and pubic hair; reduced shaving)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    variable; may show diffuse gland enlargement

  • luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone:

    elevated

  • serum testosterone:

    low

  • serum estradiol:

    low

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Somatotroph hyperplasia

History

history of malignancy (i.e., neuroendocrine tumors; pancreas, kidneys, adrenals, or lungs); history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea; other symptoms vary according to cancer type

Exam

signs of acromegaly (coarsening of facial features, prominent jaw and frontal bossing, enlarged feet and hands, macroglossia, hyperhidrosis); other physical findings vary according to cancer type

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    variable; may show diffuse gland enlargement

  • serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1):

    elevated

    More
  • oral glucose tolerance test:

    serum GH level >1 nanogram/mL is seen in patients with acromegaly

    More
Other investigations
  • serum growth hormone-releasing hormone:

    may be elevated

  • CT chest/abdomen:

    may show presence of neuroendocrine tumor (pancreas, kidneys, adrenals, or lungs)

  • somatostatin receptor scintigraphy:

    helps locate tumor

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Corticotroph hyperplasia

History

weight gain, proximal muscle weakness, menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, easy bruising, fatigue, low libido; symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

central obesity, supraclavicular and cervical fat accumulation, facial rounding, purplish striae on skin, muscle wasting, hypertension; signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    variable; may show diffuse gland enlargement

  • 24-hour urinary cortisol:

    >50 micrograms/24 hours

  • late-night salivary cortisol:

    elevated; normal range 2300-2400 nanograms/dL

Other investigations
  • low-dose dexamethasone suppression test:

    8 a.m. cortisol >1.8 micrograms/dL

    More
  • high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests:

    suppression of cortisol <50% of the baseline value

    More
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Craniopharyngioma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures); symptoms of diabetes insipidus (nocturia, polyuria, polydipsia); hypopituitarism

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); focal neurologic deficit

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    mixed cystic and solid mass with enhancement of the solid component and cyst wall, may frequently show tumor calcification

Other investigations
  • CT of the pituitary gland:

    frequent tumor calcification (90% children; 70% adults); mixed cystic and solid mass with enhancement of the solid component and cyst wall

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Meningioma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss)

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass with contrast enhancement, possibly with surrounding cerebral edema, enhancing dural tail

Other investigations
  • CT of the pituitary gland:

    bony changes (hyperostosis) or calcification (25%); contrast-enhancing tumor, possibly with surrounding edema, enhancing dural tail

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Germ cell tumors

History

symptoms of diabetes insipidus (nocturia, polyuria, polydipsia); symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures); hypopituitarism

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); focal neurologic deficit

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass

  • serum alpha-fetoprotein:

    elevated in nonseminoma germ cell tumor

  • serum beta-hCG:

    may be elevated

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Lymphoma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures); symptoms of hypopituitarism

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); focal neurologic deficit

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More
  • surgical biopsy:

    presence of malignant lymphoid cells; tumor immunohistochemistry and cytogenetics will allow confirmation of lymphoma type

Chordoma

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); focal neurologic deficit

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass with ring enhancement

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More
  • surgical biopsy:

    cords of tumor cells set in a pale mucopolysaccharide matrix; may show chondroid features

Metastatic disease

History

history of malignancy (e.g., breast, lung), weight loss, symptoms of diabetes insipidus (nocturia, polyuria, polydipsia), symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss); other symptoms vary according to cancer type

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); focal neurologic deficit; other physical exam findings vary according to cancer type

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass with ring enhancement

Other investigations
  • CT scan:

    staging; identifies primary tumor or other sites of metastasis

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Lymphocytic hypophysitis

History

usually occurs in women during or shortly after pregnancy; possible history of other autoimmune diseases (e.g., Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism, autoimmune hepatitis); symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (fatigue, weakness)

Exam

orthostatic hypotension, signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); features of associated autoimmune disease (e.g., signs of hypothyroidism in Hashimoto thyroiditis, adrenal insufficiency in Addison disease, chronic liver disease in autoimmune hepatitis)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    usually demonstrates thickening of the pituitary stalk in combination with an intense contrast enhancement

Other investigations
  • adrenal cortex autoantibodies:

    positive in Addison disease

  • antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies:

    positive in Hashimoto thyroiditis

  • antinuclear antibodies:

    positive in autoimmune hepatitis

  • anti-smooth muscle antibodies:

    positive in autoimmune hepatitis

  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Drug therapy-induced hypophysitis

History

history of treatment with anticancer immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors (CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors); more commonly affects male patients, and patients over the age of 60; symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea); symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (fatigue, weakness)

Exam

orthostatic hypotension, signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    in the acute phase may show a moderate increase in pituitary volume

    More
Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Pituitary abscess

History

history of recent infection (e.g., meningitis) or sepsis; prior neurosurgical procedure; symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

fever, meningismus; signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    round sellar mass with ring enhancement

  • CBC:

    leukocytosis

  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein:

    elevated

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Pituitary apoplexy

History

sudden onset of headache, visual loss, nausea and vomiting, cranial nerve palsies, hemiparesis and impaired pituitary function, meningismus, fever; history of previous pituitary disease and dynamic testing of pituitary function, anticoagulation therapy, cardiac surgery, head trauma, cranial irradiation

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); orthostatic hypotension

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass, pituitary hemorrhage[56]

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Cerebral aneurysm

History

asymptomatic or symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss)

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies)

1st investigation
  • cranial MRI/CT angiography:

    aneurysm

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More

Rathke cleft cyst

History

symptoms of mass effect (headaches, visual loss, seizures)

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea)

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    sellar or intrasellar mass

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More
  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

    More
  • surgical biopsy:

    thin-walled cyst lined by a single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells; evidence of prior hemorrhage may be seen

Empty sella syndrome

History

history of previous pituitary tumor (surgery, irradiation, or tumor infarction); symptoms of hypopituitarism (weakness, fatigue and lethargy, thermal intolerance, constipation, reduced libido, menstrual irregularity)

Exam

usually normal; hypotension

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    usually empty sella

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

    More

Pituitary carcinoma

History

present at any age but typically presents in the third to fifth decade of life in patients with preexisting pituitary macroadenomas

Exam

signs of mass effect (visual-field defects, bitemporal-field loss, cranial nerve neuropathies); orthostatic hypotension; signs of metastatic dissemination vary depending on site of metastases

1st investigation
  • MRI of the pituitary gland:

    micro- or macroadenoma

Other investigations
  • full pituitary evaluation:

    normal or hypopituitarism

  • visual-field assessment:

    normal, unilateral or bitemporal field defect

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer