Diagnosis and Treatment > Medication
Search for other papers by Raluca Maria Furnica in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Julie Lelotte in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Thierry Duprez in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Dominique Maiter in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Orsalia Alexopoulou in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
A 26-year-old woman presented with severe postpartum headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a symmetric, heterogeneous enlargement of the pituitary gland. Three months later, she developed central diabetes insipidus. A diagnosis of postpartum hypophysitis was suspected and corticosteroids were prescribed. Six months later, the pituitary mass showed further enlargement and characteristics of a necrotic abscess with a peripheral shell and infiltration of the hypothalamus. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed, disclosing a pus-filled cavity which was drained. No bacterial growth was observed, except a single positive blood culture for Staphylococcus aureus, considered at that time as a potential contaminant. A short antibiotic course was, however, administered together with hormonal substitution for panhypopituitarism. Four months after her discharge, severe headaches recurred. Pituitary MRI was suggestive of a persistent inflammatory mass of the sellar region. She underwent a new transsphenoidal resection of a residual abscess. At that time, the sellar aspiration fluid was positive for Staphylococcus aureus and she was treated with antibiotics for 6 weeks, after which she had complete resolution of her infection. The possibility of a pituitary abscess, although rare, should be kept in mind during evaluation for a necrotic inflammatory pituitary mass with severe headaches and hormonal deficiencies.
Learning points:
-
The possibility of a pituitary abscess, although rare, should be kept in mind during evaluation for a necrotic inflammatory pituitary mass with severe headaches and hormonal deficiencies.
-
In a significant proportion of cases no pathogenic organism can be isolated.
-
A close follow-up is necessary given the risk of recurrence and the high rate of postoperative pituitary deficiencies.
Search for other papers by Prashanth Rawla in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anantha R Vellipuram in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sathyajit S Bandaru in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jeffrey Pradeep Raj in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA) is a clinical triad comprising increased anion gap metabolic acidosis, ketonemia or ketonuria and normal blood glucose levels <200 mg/dL. This condition is a diagnostic challenge as euglycemia masquerades the underlying diabetic ketoacidosis. Thus, a high clinical suspicion is warranted, and other diagnosis ruled out. Here, we present two patients on regular insulin treatment who were admitted with a diagnosis of EDKA. The first patient had insulin pump failure and the second patient had urinary tract infection and nausea, thereby resulting in starvation. Both of them were aggressively treated with intravenous fluids and insulin drip as per the protocol for the blood glucose levels till the anion gap normalized, and the metabolic acidosis reversed. This case series summarizes, in brief, the etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of EDKA.
Learning points:
-
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis is rare.
-
Consider ketosis in patients with DKA even if their serum glucose levels are normal.
-
High clinical suspicion is required to diagnose EDKA as normal blood sugar levels masquerade the underlying DKA and cause a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.
-
Blood pH and blood or urine ketones should be checked in ill patients with diabetes regardless of blood glucose levels.