title: [Prolactinomas in Yaounde: analytical study of 36 consecutive cases followed in the internal medicine department of the Yaounde Hospital from 1990 to 1996].
abstract: We analysed the epidemiological, clinical, biological, morphological and therapeutic characteristics of 36 cases of pituitary prolactinomas in Yaoundé, Cameroun. Diagnosis was made on the basis of neuro-ophthalmological, gynaecological and sexual symptoms associated with quantity determinations of prolactinemia, total testosterone and blood oestrogen, folliculo stimulating hormone and luteining hormone. Expected levels of prolactinemia are above 150 micrograms/l. Cerebral tomodensitometry and, where possible, magnetic resonance imaging were used. Among the 24 patients on whom a tomodensitometry was performed, 4 male patients presented macroprolactinomas; the remaining 20 patients--mostly female--had microprolactinomas. Macroprolactinomas were found in male patients only, leading to an acute ophthalmological emergency for 2 of them who were operated in Paris-France. All the patients were put on bromocriptine; this molecule has antisecretory and antiproliferative properties, which are very useful in Africa, since surgery is very expensive. Cases of resistance to the molecule exist and new dopaminergic agonists are not yet being used in Cameroon.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital général, Yaoundé, Cameroun. cnouedo@Uninet.cm
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nouedoui
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moukouri
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Juimo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Djoumessi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dong A Zok
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dongmo
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Muna
mesh_terms: D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001971:Bromocriptine; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
vernacular_title: Les adénomes à prolactine à Yaoundé: étude analytique de 36 cas consécutifs suivis dans le service de médecine interne de l'Hôpital de Yaoundé de 1990 à 1996.