Pituitary infarction

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Endocrine glands

Pituitary infarction is the death of an area of tissue in the pituitary gland, a small gland joined to the hypothalamus (part of the brain). The pituitary produces many of the hormones that control essential body processes.

Pituitary apoplexy

Pituitary infarction is most commonly caused by bleeding due to a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary. When this bleeding occurs in a woman during or immediately after childbirth, it is called Sheehan syndrome.

Risk factors for pituitary infarction include diabetes, bleeding disorders, head injury, pituitary radiation, and use of a breathing machine. However, in most cases, the cause is not clear.

Pituitary infarction is usually acute (short period of symptoms), but can be life-threatening.

Review Date: 08/11/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.