Published in:
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.