management
Last reviewed 01/2018
Seek specialist advice.
Without treatment, pituitary apoplexy is fatal within hours.
Initial medical treatment aims to stabilise the patient for neurosurgery:
- dexamethasone 6 mg i.v. 6-hourly
- circulatory and respiratory support
Surgical management involves transnasal decompression of the sella.
Survivors require life-long hormone replacement therapy because of the loss of pituitary function.