• Melissa Xenidis, Naushira Pandya, and Elizabeth Hames.
• PGY-3, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Frankfort, Illinois.
• Pain Med. 2013 Nov 1;14(11):1741-4.

ObjectiveTo report a case of panhypopituitarism in a patient receiving long-term intrathecal opioids.DesignThis is a case study and review of current medical literature. There is a 7-year follow-up time.PatientsOne adult male clinic patient with pituitary dysfunction.Main Outcome Measure(S)Intrathecal opioids may lead to pituitary dysfunction.ResultsIntrathecal opioid pain management may produce some generalized effects, as well as pituitary hypofunction, as evidenced by this case. This patient experienced simultaneous suppression of multiple anterior pituitary hormones, which persisted with chronic oral opioid therapy following cessation of an intrathecal opioid pump.ConclusionsAll hypothalamic pituitary axes, seem potentially vulnerable to therapy with intrathecal opioids. When patients are receiving these medications, symptoms need to be critically evaluated with appropriate laboratory assessments for suspected pituitary dysfunction. Further studies are required in order to create formal recommendations for routine patient surveillance during intrathecal opioid therapy.Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

20 keywords...

hide…