Approach to the patient with pancytopenia secondary to panhypopituitarism after craniopharyngioma surgery

Abstract

Craniopharyngioma is the most common benign intracranial tumor in children. The major post-operative complication is dysfunction of pituitary, which can result in many complicate clinical manifestations with hormonal deficiencies. Normochromic anemia has been reported as a common hematologic abnormality. However, pancytopenia is rarely reported so far. Here we described a 21-year-old inpatient with the main complaint of nasal bleeding, who received craniopharyngioma surgery 9 years ago. Laboratory tests showed pancytopenia secondary to panhypopituitarism. This paper aims to increase the awareness of this disease and accumulate clinical experiences for the clinicians. Key words: Craniopharyngioma; Hypopituitarism; Pancytopenia