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Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Central Diabetes Insipidus | Case report

Secondary autoimmune hypothalamitis with severe memory impairment 7 years after the onset of diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis: a case report

Authors: Takahiro Asada, Shintaro Takenoshita, Mayuko Senda, Koichiro Yamamoto, Ryo Sasaki, Fumio Otsuka, Seishi Terada, Norihito Yamada

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Autoimmune hypothalamitis is a very rare neuroendocrine disorder that causes central diabetes insipidus, headache, visual impairment, and sometimes cognitive impairment. Autoimmune hypothalamitis may occur in association with autoimmune hypophysitis, including lymphocytic hypophysitis, or in isolation. It is not known whether autoimmune hypothalamitis and autoimmune hypophysitis are consecutive diseases.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old woman developed autoimmune hypothalamitis 7 years after developing central diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis, resulting in severe memory impairment. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy improved her cognitive function and decreased the size of the lesion.

Conclusion

This case presented a unique clinical course, with a long period of time between the onset of autoimmune hypopituitaritis and the development of autoimmune hypothalamitis.
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Metadata
Title
Secondary autoimmune hypothalamitis with severe memory impairment 7 years after the onset of diabetes insipidus due to lymphocytic hypophysitis: a case report
Authors
Takahiro Asada
Shintaro Takenoshita
Mayuko Senda
Koichiro Yamamoto
Ryo Sasaki
Fumio Otsuka
Seishi Terada
Norihito Yamada
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02891-z

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