Amenorrhea-galactorrhea and craniopharyngioma.
A 40-year-old woman had a 1-year history of amenorrhea-galactorrhea. She was found to have an intrasellar tumor with suprasellar extension and a prolactin level of 98.1 ng/mL. Subtotal resection of the tumor resulted in a return of the prolactin level to normal within 4 days of the operation and of the prolactin response to thyrotropin releasing hormone, accompanied by the disappearance of the galactorrhea. Histologic examination revealed a typical craniopharyngioma. These observations indicate that one important mechanism of hyperprolactinemia in patients with craniopharyngioma is direct encroachment on the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk by the tumor and interruption of prolactin inhibiting factor.
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005687:Galactorrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin