Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea during treatment with bromocriptine for prolactinoma.

Abstract

A 47-year-old man exhibited loss of libido and impotence in association with plasma hyperprolactinemia and a pituitary mass with downward extension of the tumor to the sphenoid sinus and to the suprasellar cisterns. Bromocriptine, 15 mg daily, reduced the hyperprolactinemia as well as tumor size. After 8 months on this therapy, the patient developed overt CSF liquorrhea. Five days after discontinuation of bromocriptine, the CSF rhinorrhea stopped, and when bromocriptine was given again 2 weeks later, CSF rhinorrhea returned within 3 days. We believe this phenomenon to be due to retraction of tumor by bromocriptine exposing a defect in the sella floor. Transient occurrence of CSF rhinorrhea can be considered as a consequence of tumor regression in patients on bromocriptine. The possibility of this complication, especially in patients with downward extension of tumor, should be noted.

• Authors: J G Kok, A K Bartelink, B P Schulte, A Smals, G Pieters, E Meyer, H Merx
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 35 Issue 8 Pg. 1193-5 (Aug 1985) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 4022353 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bromocriptine
• Prolactin

Topics

• Bromocriptine (therapeutic use)
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea (etiology)
• Humans
• Hypophysectomy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pituitary Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, metabolism, surgery)
• Prolactin (metabolism)
• Sella Turcica (abnormalities)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed