Endocrine Abstracts

PRL hypersecretion is the most common endocrine abnormality due to hypothalamic–pituitary disorders. PRL is the hormone most commonly secreted in excess by pituitary adenomas. Patients usually present with oligo-amenorrhea, galactorrhea, loss of libido, impotence and infertility. If the tumor extends outside of the sella, visual deficit or other mass effects may be seen.

A retrospective study was performed during the period 1999–2008. The diagnosis of prolactinoma was based on objective examination, hormonal levels and MRI.

During these time 51 cases were diagnosed as prolactinoma; 68.62% were females and 31.38% were males. Female/male ratio was 2.18:1. The mean age of diagnosis was 36.31±13.58 (range 18–77 years) years old. Oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea were the major symptoms in 21 patients (41.1%) and followed by headache in 11 patients (21.5%), galactorrhea in 9 patients (17.6%), decreased libido in 6 patients (11.7%) and visual deficit in 1 patient. Of 3 patients (5.88%) was asymptomatic. Hypopituitarism was found 18 patients (35.3%). The diagnosis of prolactinoma was confirmed by MRI. The 56.8% of cases was macroadenoma and 41.2% of cases was microadenoma.

The mean value of PRL at the moment of diagnosis was 720.64±1086.2 (range 61.5–3919) ng/ml. PRL normal range is 3.4–24.1 ng/ml.