Hyperprolactinemia in Sellar and Parasellar Tumors.

Choi, C R; Kim, M C; Ha, Y S

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1980;9(1): 45-50.

Department of Neurosurgery, Catholic Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

ABSTRACT

Prolactin tend to be focusing in the diagnosis of "functionless" pituitary tumors and in part of hypothalamic disorders after discovery of the radioimmunoassay in early 1970 as acts mainly lactogenic, mammotrophic and behavioral. Authors analyzed 20 cases of pituitary tumors including 7 suspects, 4 in craniopharyngiomas, one meningioma in 3rd ventricle and one empty sella, admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of Catholic Medical Center from July 1976 to August 1979, with serum prolactin measuring the radioimmunoassay as previously reported7). Age distribution was 15 to 61 years old. 4th decade was 27% and 23% in 2nd decade. Male to female ratio was 1:1.6 and 1:2.3 in pituitary tumors only. In 20 pituitary tumors including 13 proved cases, hyperprolactinemia was 80% and 3 in 4 acromegalic patients. Amenorrhea and loss of libido was presented in 87.5% hyperprolactinemia. More 100 ng/ml of the serum prolactin preferred to be destructed in sella and extended suprasellarly according to the classification of Guiot and Hardy's concept. Hyperprolactinemia was observed in 2 of 4 cases craniopharyngioma and one meningioma in 3rd ventricle. Prolactin level was normal in one empty sella. It is concluded that the serum prolactin may have specific role in regular work-up of the pituitary tumor and partly hypothalamic disorders.