Exacerbation of ovarian hyperstimulation by leuprolide reveals a gonadotroph adenoma.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of a gonadotroph adenoma diagnosed after a dramatic increase in estradiol level and ovarian hyperstimulation in response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Outpatient practice and university hospital.


METHODS
A 35-year-old woman who presented with infertility, amenorrhea, and an elevated basal estradiol concentration.


METHODS
Ultrasonography, laparoscopy, endocrinologic assays, magnetic resonance imaging, transsphenoidal surgery, and immunocytochemical staining.


METHODS
Ultrasonography and laparoscopy demonstrated bilaterally enlarged ovaries containing multiple preovulatory follicles, similar in appearance in those women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with exogenous FSH. The serum estradiol level was moderately elevated, the FSH level was within the normal range, and LH was suppressed. Administration of leuprolide acetate resulted in very elevated estradiol concentrations and even larger ovarian cysts. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar mass. Examination of the tissue excised by transsphenoidal excision of the mass showed a pituitary adenoma that stained strongly for FSH.


RESULTS
Regular menses resumed soon after excision of the gonadotroph adenoma, followed by a spontaneous pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Gonadotroph adenoma should be suspected in a reproductive age woman with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, infertility, multiple preovulatory follicles, and a persistently elevated serum estradiol concentration. Exacerbation of the ovarian hyperstimulation in response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in this setting also strongly suggests a gonadotroph adenoma but can be avoided by recognizing the presenting features of this condition.
Castelbaum
Arthur J
AJ
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6149, USA.
Bigdeli
Homayoun
H
Post
Kalmon D
KD
Freedman
Martin F
MF
Snyder
Peter J
PJ
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D004958:Estradiol; D016729:Leuprolide