title: Bilateral intracavernous carotid aneurysms mimicking a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor.
abstract: The triad of hyperprolactinemia, ophthalmoplegia, and radiologic abnormalities of the sell turcica suggest a tumor in the area of the pituitary gland. A new association--bilateral intracavernous carotid aneurysms--is presented. Two elderly women had extraocular muscle palsies and elevated serum prolactin levels of 71 and 32 ng/ml (normal: less than 20 ng/ml). In the former, a high-resolution computed tomography scan made after contrast medium injection was incorrectly interpreted as demonstrating a pituitary tumor; cerebral arteriography revealed bilateral aneurysms. In the other patient, a computed tomography scan after contrast medium injection demonstrated the bilateral aneurysms, and these were confirmed by radionuclide angiography.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000209:etiology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin