Publication

Galactorrhoea and pituitary mass: a typical prolactinoma?

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 1, 2000

Units
PubMed

Citation
Brändle M, Schmid C. Galactorrhoea and pituitary mass: a typical prolactinoma?. Postgraduate medical journal 2000; 76:232-4.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Postgraduate medical journal 2000; 76
Publication Date
Apr 1, 2000
Issn Print
0032-5473
Pages
232-4
Brief description/objective

A 21 year old woman presenting with galactorrhoea, hyperprolactinaemia, and a pituitary mass on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is described who was referred to us before planned pituitary surgery. Although a thorough history did not suggest hypothyroidism, laboratory studies revealed profound primary hypothyroidism. At that time, pituitary MRI showed homogeneous enlargement of the pituitary gland consistent with pituitary hyperplasia due to primary hypothyroidism. With thyroid hormone replacement therapy the galactorrhoea resolved, concentrations of prolactin and thyroid hormones returned to normal, and the pituitary shrunk to normal size within two months. This case illustrates that primary hypothyroidism can present only with galactorrhoea and pituitary mass, and should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary enlargement.