Simulation of a prolactin-secreting adenoma by an intrasellar craniopharyngioma

We report here an unusual case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia (66 to 81 ng/ml) secondary to an unsuspected intrasellar craniopharyngioma. The results of preoperative endocrine testing were compatible with the presence of a prolactin-secreti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeurosurgery Vol. 16; no. 5; p. 689
Main Authors Gamblin, G T, James, L P, Thomas, J, Six, E, Eil, C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1985
Subjects
Adenoma - diagnosis
Adenoma - metabolism
Adult
Amenorrhea - etiology
Craniopharyngioma - diagnosis
Craniopharyngioma - metabolism
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Galactorrhea - etiology
Humans
Pituitary Neoplasms - diagnosis
Pituitary Neoplasms - metabolism
Pregnancy
Prolactin - metabolism
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Summary:We report here an unusual case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia (66 to 81 ng/ml) secondary to an unsuspected intrasellar craniopharyngioma. The results of preoperative endocrine testing were compatible with the presence of a prolactin-secreting adenoma. Moreover, high resolution computed tomographic scanning revealed an uncalcified hypodense sellar mass that did not enhance after contrast administration, a feature shared by many prolactinomas. This report illustrates that amenorrhea, galactorrhea, mild to moderate hyperprolactinemia, and a sellar mass should not automatically be attributed to the presence of a prolactin-secreting adenoma.
ISSN:0148-396X
DOI:10.1227/00006123-198505000-00021