Gonadotroph adenoma of the pituitary mimicking a prolactinoma

Neurosurgery. 1991 Mar;28(3):444-8; discussion 448-9. doi: 10.1097/00006123-199103000-00020.

Abstract

In a 41-year-old woman with mild hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea, preoperative hormonal and neuroradiological findings suggested the diagnosis of a macroprolactinoma. She underwent transsphenoidal surgery since the tumor size had not changed in spite of bromocriptine administration for 5 months. Consequently, this case was diagnosed as a female-type gonadotroph adenoma on the basis of its characteristic ultrastructural features including a honeycomb Golgi complex, even though endocrinological and immunohistochemical findings were not those of a typical gonadotroph adenoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / ultrastructure
  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Prolactinoma / diagnosis*