Lymphoid hypophysitis associated with sudden maternal death: report of a case review of the literature.

A case of lymphoid hypophysitis in a woman who died during labor is presented. From a review of the 14 previously reported cases it is apparent that this is a specific disease entity, that it involves only woman, especially in association with pregnancy, and that it may have a fatal outcome. The clinical manifestations are either related to hypopituitarism, or those of a space occupying lesion. Attention drawn to the possible occurrence of the disease may result in earlier recognition of the disease and a better outcome of this potentially fatal disease.