Chronic Atypical Depression as an Early Feature of Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas are often diagnosed as incidental findings on brain imaging. We present the case of a 52-year-old African American female patient with long standing depressed mood prior to the incidental finding of a pituitary adenoma. We explore the possibility of certain mood symptoms prompting an early diagnosis of pituitary adenoma.

Full Remission of Long-Term Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder-Like Symptoms Following Resection of a Pituitary Adenoma: Case Report

“…Contrary to the common belief that ESS is usually asymptomatic, two early studies of 43 [ 11 ] and 71 [ 12 ] cases reported a high frequency of psychological disorders [ 11 ] and 80.2% [ 12 ] of mental disorders, respectively. A literature search exploring the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms that may predate the objective pituitary findings, depression was reported in 71% of relevant papers [ 13 ]. On average, it took 11 years from initially documented clinical depression to an objective pituitary abnormality among 51% of cases with pituitary findings [ 13 ].…”

“…A literature search exploring the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms that may predate the objective pituitary findings, depression was reported in 71% of relevant papers [ 13 ]. On average, it took 11 years from initially documented clinical depression to an objective pituitary abnormality among 51% of cases with pituitary findings [ 13 ].…”

The Impact of Optic Nerve Disorders on Sleep Wake

“…Depression in pituitary disorders such as PA and CP can be due to the presence of the CNS tumour itself as well as the impact of this on the individual. Additionally, excessive GH production, causing obesity, disruption of the HPA-axis and hypersecretion of ACTH, or deficiency in TSH and central hypothyroidism can lead to depressed mood (1182)(1183)(1184).…”