This article describes why pituitary tumors cause headaches.
What Is the Pituitary Gland?
Thepituitary glandis a hormone-producing organ situated at thebase of the brain, behind the bridge of your nose.
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This tends to occur when a pituitary tumor is larger than 10 millimeters (0.4 inches).
In most cases, a pituitary tumor is involved.
In rare instances, this can lead to anischemic stroke.
The compression may also cause the blood vessel to burst, leading in rare instances to ahemorrhagic stroke.
Pregnancy can also increase the risk in people with a pituitary tumor.
To identify the exact punch in of pituitary tumor involved, abiopsywould be performed to obtain a tissue sample.
Surgery is the most common treatment for a pituitary tumor.
With pituitary apoplexy, emergency treatment is needed.
Surgery may help relieve pressure on the brain and improve vision symptoms.
Intravenous fluids and steroids can help normalize blood pressure and relieve brain inflammation.
Long-term follow-up is needed for people with pituitary tumor apoplexy.
This includes repeat MRI imaging and regular hormone blood tests.
Hannoush ZC, Weiss RE.Pituitary Apoplexy.
In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors.
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