Sheehan syndrome

Sheehan syndrome is the name given to postpartum hypopituitarism.1 The syndrome is caused by an infarction in the adenohypophysis, usually precipitated by massive uterine haemorrhage. Necrotised areas of the adenohypophysis undergo organisation and form a fibrous scar (figure 1). Extensive destruction of cells results in varying degrees of hypopituitarism. Acute loss of adenohypophysis function can be fatal without glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and survivors will require lifelong treatment.