Post-traumatic anterior hypopituitarism.

Reports of anterior pituitary insufficiency following closed head trauma are unusual. In those cases reported, extensive endocrinologic evidence to support the clinical syndrome is often lacking. The present report documents a case of anterior pituitary insufficiency in a 14-year-old girl following a skull fracture. Endocrine evaluation one year after her automobile accident revealed hypopituitarism minifested by cachexia, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism, and hypogonadism with regression of secondary sex characteristics. Laboratory studies demonstrated deficiencies of both trophic and peripheral anterior pituitary hormones. The patient has responded to replacement therapy and is clinically well. A review of previously described cases is included.