Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is Followed by Pituitary Gland Volume Loss: A Volumetric MRI Observational Study

• DOI: 10.1007/s12028-019-00764-x
• Publication Date: 2019-06-20T15:03:07Z
• Authors: Verena Rass; Elisabeth Schoenherr; Bogdan-Andrei Ianosi; Anna Lindner; Mario Kofler; Alois J. Schiefecker; Lukas Lenhart; Max Gaasch; Marie-Theres Pertl; Christian F. Frey...; Bettina Pfausler; Margarete Delazer; Ronny Beer; Claudius Thomé; Astrid Ellen Grams; Christoph Scherfler; Raimund Helbok
• Keywords: Glasgow Outcome Scale

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. Besides neurological sequelae, neuropsychological deficits largely contribute to patients' long-term quality of life. Little known about the pituitary gland volume (PGV) after SAH compared healthy referents association PGV outcome including cognitive function. Sixty consecutive non-traumatic patients admitted intensive care unit between 2010 2014 were enrolled. 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imagining was performed at baseline (16 days) 12 months measure semi-automatically using software iPlan Net 3.5.0. age sex matched referents. The difference 1-year-PGV classified as increase (> 20 mm3 increase), stable (± mm3), or decrease decrease). In addition, total intracerebral calculated. Neuropsychological testing applied in 43 1-year follow up encompassing several domains (executive, attention, memory) self-assessment (questionnaire for self-perceived attention [German: FEDA]) distractibility mental processes, fatigue motivation. Multivariable regression multivariable generalized linear models used comparison PGVs subgroup analysis evaluate potential outcome. Patients 53 years old (IQR = 44–63) presented median Hunt&Hess grade 2 1–3). had significantly lower both (360 ± 19 mm3, p < 0.001) 1 year (367 18 mm3p (mean 505 mm3). decreased by 75 8 28 patients, increased 120 22 remained 10 follow-up. not different (p 0.062). Low impaired executive functions (adjOR 8.81, 95%-CI 1.46–53.10, 0.018) within worse motivation (FEDA; Wald-statistic 6.6, df 1, 0.010). Our data indicate following SAH. sustained warrants further investigations neuroendocrine hormone measurements.