Dermatitis Herpetiformis Cured by Hormone Replacement for Panhypopituitarism

• Published in: Endocrine Journal Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 437 - 440
• Main Authors: SPITZWEG, CHRISTINE, HOFBAUER, LOREUZ C., HEUFELDER, ARMIN E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japan Endocrine Society 1997
• Subjects: Adenoma - complications; Adenoma - diagnosis; Adenoma - surgery; Dermatitis herpetiformis; Dermatitis Herpetiformis - etiology; Dermatitis Herpetiformis - therapy; Hormone replacement; Humans; Hydrocortisone - therapeutic use; Hypopituitarism - complications; Hypopituitarism - diagnosis; Hypopituitarism - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Panhypopituitarism; Pituitary Neoplasms - complications; Pituitary Neoplasms - diagnosis; Pituitary Neoplasms - surgery; Testosterone - therapeutic use; Thyroxine - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0918-8959; 1348-4540
• DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.44.437

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an autoimmune skin disorder frequently associated with gastrointestinal diseases. We report a 53-year-old male with a four-year history of refractory dermatitis herpetiformis associated with hypopituitarism. Endocrine testing, ophthalmological examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed hypopituitarism due to a non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma. Following transsphenoidal removal of the pituitary tumor and appropriate hormone replacement, complete remission of the skin disorder was obtained. We discuss the permissive role of panhypopituitarism in the course of dermatitis herpetiformis.