Proptosis as the presenting sign of giant prolactinoma in a prepubertal boy: successful resolution of hydrocephalus by use of medical therapy.

Abstract

We report the case of a 13-year-old prepubertal boy who presented with a left-sided proptosis, bilateral papilloedema and hydrocephalus who was subsequently diagnosed with a giant prolactinoma invading the left orbit. He was commenced on dopamine receptor agonists in the form of quinagolide and cabergoline, and made an excellent response to medical therapy alone, with resolution of hydrocephalus, restoration of normal vision and a 98% reduction in serum prolactin. The rapid improvement achieved negated the requirement for surgery and this highlights the efficacy of the dopamine agonists in the management of giant prolactinomas, even in the presence of neurological symptoms.

• Authors: Peter Cackett, Graeme Eunson, Louise Bath, Alan Mulvihill
• Journal: Future oncology (London, England) (Future Oncol) Vol. 8 Issue 12 Pg. 1621-6 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 1744-8301 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23231524 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Dopamine Agonists
• Ergolines
• quinagolide
• Prolactin
• Cabergoline

Topics

• Adolescent
• Aminoquinolines (therapeutic use)
• Cabergoline
• Dopamine Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Ergolines (therapeutic use)
• Exophthalmos (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Hydrocephalus (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Pituitary Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
• Prolactin (blood)
• Prolactinoma (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)