Autoimmune hypophysitis

Autoimmune hypophysitis is an inflammation of the pituitary gland resulting from autoimmune response, which can be classified as primary hypophysitis and secondary hypophysitis according to the etiology. The clinical presentation includes hypopituitarism and a pituitary mass. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings and radiology, while the pathology serves as the golden standard. The treatment is aimed at reducing the size of the pituitary mass, replacing the defective hormones and decreasing hyperprolactinemia. This review is about the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of lymphocytic hypophysitis, hypophysitis secondary to cytotoxic T-4 blockade, and IgG4-related hypophysitis. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2015, 31: 1008-1012) Key words: Autoimmune hypophysitis; Lymphocytic hypophysitis; Hypophysitis secondary to cytotoxic T-4 blockade; IgG4-related hypophysitis