Pituitary infarction

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Pituitary infarction

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 infarction is most commonly caused by bleeding into a benign tumor of the pituitary, which kills an area of tissue in the pituitary gland. When this bleeding occurs in a woman during or immediately after childbirth, it is called Sheehan's syndrome.

Risk factors for pituitary infarction include diabetes, bleeding disorders, head trauma, 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) and can be life-threatening.

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