• M Schneider, H J Schneider, A Yassouridis, B Saller, F von Rosen, and G K Stalla.
• Neurological Clinic Bad Aibling, Kolbermoorer Strasse, Bad Aibling, Germany. schneider@mpipsykl.mpg.de
• Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf). 2008 Feb 1;68(2):206-12.

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported a high prevalence of hypopituitarism after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Risk stratification is a prerequisite for cost-effective hormonal screening of these patients. However, it is still unclear which risk factors predispose patients to develop anterior hypopituitarism after TBI.ObjectiveTo assess clinical and radiological risk factors for post-traumatic hypopituitarism.Patients And MethodsSeventy-eight consecutive patients (52 men, 26 women; mean age 36.0 years, range 18-65 years) with mild, moderate or severe TBI were studied. Endocrine and clinical parameters were assessed 3 and 12 months after TBI.ResultsWe found diffuse axonal injury, basal skull fracture and older age to be major risk factors of post-traumatic hypopituitarism.ConclusionsWe have defined specific risk factors for the development of post-traumatic hypopituitarism that are consistent with pathophysiological considerations. These findings might help to identify at-risk patients.

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