With 2.5 million emergency room visits in the US each year for traumatic brain injury related injuries, why have we not been aware of pituitary problems sooner?

A pituitary gland injury sustained from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause serious repercussions for the victim of a brain injury. However, identifying whether or not damage to the pituitary has been sustained due to a brain injury is not a simple task. To determine whether or not someone has sustained a pituitary injury, one of several different tests must be performed.

We are all familiar with the mechanics of a whiplash injury, often experienced during a car accident. Whiplash injuries and others falls or blows to the head can damage your brain, causing what is called a “coup-contrecoup” brain injury. A coup-contrecoup occurs when both the side of the head that was struck as well as the side of the head opposite the blow are injured.