Pituitary atrophy in patients with Sheehan's syndrome.

The cases of two women with anterior hypopituitarism after obstetrical catastrophies with blood loss and hypovolemia are reported. Endocrine studies demonstrated unresponsiveness of all the pituitary hormones on provocative testing in both patients. In one woman, clinically apparent diabetes insipidus was also present. Computed tomography of the hypothalamic pituitary area disclosed empty sella in both patients. A combination of appropriate biochemical and radiologic techniques permits the in vivo documentation of pituitary atrophy, and Sheehan's syndrome should be added to the list of conditions causing secondary empty sella.