Sellar Toxoplasmosis and Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Sellar toxoplasmosis is associated with congenital infections or immunodeficiency. The finding of Toxoplasma bradycysts in a pituitary adenoma is very unusual.

CASE DESCRIPTION:

An otherwise healthy 27-year-old woman presented with secondary amenorrhea and moderately elevated prolactin levels. A macroprolactinoma was suspected on magnetic resonance imaging, and cabergoline was initiated. Although dopamine levels decreased, the tumor did not show significant shrinkage; after 2 years, transsphenoidal resection was indicated to clarify the diagnosis and to cure hyperprolactinemia. Histology showed an inactive pituitary adenoma and Toxoplasma bradycysts. Seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii, but neither immunodeficiency nor intracerebral spread, was found. During a postoperative follow-up period of 15 months, the patient did not show any recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sellar toxoplasmosis in conjunction with pituitary adenoma is extremely rare. Nonfunctioning lesions should be suspected in cases of sellar masses and moderate hyperprolactinemia.

• Authors: Sven Berkmann, Ingeborg Fischer, Beat Sonderegger, Stefan Fischli, Javier Fandino
• Journal: World neurosurgery (World Neurosurg) Vol. 84 Issue 5 Pg. 1495.e1-4 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1878-8769 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26026632 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Prolactin

Topics

• Adult
• Amenorrhea (etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Pituitary Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Prolactin (blood)
• Prolactinoma (complications, surgery)
• Toxoplasma
• Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral (complications, surgery)
• Treatment Outcome