Neurosarcoidosis Presenting WIth Panhypopituitarism

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2023

Publication Title

Journal of the Endocrine Society

Abstract

Introduction: Neurosarcoidosis is estimated to occur in approximately 5-15% patients with sarcoidosis. Pituitary involvement may be present in up to 5% of those cases and can manifest as hypothalamus, adenohypophysis dysfunction or arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) in isolated fashion or variedly combined. Clinical case: 32 year old male presented with chief complaint of worsening bilateral lower extremity weakness, urinary incontinence, polyuria and polydipsia. 9 months prior to admission the patient was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. At that time brain MRI showed diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement, chest CT showed hilar lymphadenopathy, lumbar puncture with CSF analysis showed protein 227 mg/dl (N<38), ACE 6 U/l (N <2.5), WBC 10 (N<5) with 88% lymphocytes. Hilar lymph node biopsy was consistent with non-caseating granuloma. The patient was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis and started on prednisone and methotrexate. The patient was referred to our institution for further evaluation. On examination gait ataxia and gynecomastia were noted. Laboratory results showed urine specific gravity of 1.001, LH 0.4 mIU/ml (N 0.6-1.2), FSH 1.1 mIU/ml (N 1-12), ACTH <5 pg/ml (N 6-46), cortisol 2.1 ug/dl (N 2.9-19.4), prolactin 10.5 ng/ml (N 2-18), total testosterone 4 ng/dl (N 240-1080), free testosterone 0.1 ng/dl (N 4.8-19), TSH 0.58 uIU/ml (N 0.4-4.5), free ft3 1.5 pg/ml (N 1.7-3.7), free ft4 0.6 ng/dl (N 0.7-1.5), IGF-1 52 ng/ml (N 71-234), Copeptin proAVP of <2.8 pmol/l( N>13.2), urine osmolality of 72 mOsmol/kg, blood osmolality of 297 mOsmol/kg (N <295), vit D 25-OH 9 ng/ml (N 30-100), vit D 1,25-OH 57.3 pg/ml (N 19.9-79.3). MRI of the spine showed extensive nodular enhancement of the leptomeninges of the cervical, thoracic spine and lumbar cauda equina nerve roots. Brain MRI was positive for numerous small nodular enhancement involving leptomeninges and pituitary stalk. The patient was started on desmopressin with significant improvement of symptoms and increase in urine osmolality to 709 mOsmol/kg. Due to risk of hypercalcemia and normal vit D 1,25-OH vitamin D supplementation was not initiated. For neurosarcoidosis the patient was started on pulse dose methylprednisolone and infliximab infusion. Upon discharge he was transitioned to oral hydrocortisone and started on levothyroxine and testosterone replacement therapy. Conclusion: We present a case of pituitary neurosarcoidosis presenting with AVP-D, secondary hypothyroidism, secondary adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency. Panhypopituitarism with complete anterior and posterior pituitary dysfunction is extremely rare and might be found in up to 13% cases of pituitary sarcoidosis. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with sarcoidosis and endocrine dysfunctions.

Volume

7

Issue

Suppl 1

First Page

A724

Comments

Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting, ENDO 2023, June 15-18, 2023, Chicago, IL

DOI

10.1210/jendso/bvad114.1357

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