The characteristics of incidental pituitary microadenomas in 120 Korean forensic autopsy cases.
To investigate the characteristics of incidental pituitary microadenomas, we examined 120 pituitary glands from Korean forensic autopsy cases, from which eight tumors were identified (incidence 6.7%). The average age of the affected subjects was 50 yr (range: 33-96 yr) with a female predominance. The maximum diameters of the tumors ranged from 0.4 to 5.4 mm (mean: 2.8 mm). Immunohistochemical analysis of pituitary hormones revealed three growth hormone-secreting adenomas, one prolactin-producing adenoma, one gonadotropin-producing adenoma, one plurihormonal adenoma, and two null cell adenomas. MIB-1 staining for Ki-67 antigen showed no positive expression. The microvessel density (MVD) of the pituitary microadenomas ranged from 2.3 to 11.6% (mean: 5.3%) and was significantly lower than that of nonneoplastic pituitary glands (11.9-20.1%, mean: 14.8%). Our study provides reference data on incidental pituitary microadenomas in the Korean population.
Kim
Jang Hee
JH
Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Seo
Jung Seok
JS
Lee
Bong Woo
BW
Lee
Sang Young
SY
Jeon
Seok Hoon
SH
Lee
Kyi Beom
KB
D000236:Adenoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D010907:Pituitary Hormones