Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The occurrence of primary pituitary tumour and cerebral schwannoma in the same person is very rare. Only few cases have been reported so far. The mechanism of this association is still unclear.

Aim: Our aim is to report a man with two different brain tumours: a prolactinoma and a cerebellopontine schwannoma in order to discuss the possible mechanism of multiple neoplasms arising in the same person.

Case report: A man aged 50 years, without any history of neurofibromatosis, known to have a right ear malformation, consulted for a sensation of exorbitism of the right eye. Clinical and ophthalmological examinations were normal. But, cerebral MRI showed two tumours: one in the pituitary area and the second in the right cerebellopontine angle.

The first tumour is a prolactinoma: PRL=1737 ng/ml (n<15), tumour size=28×29×24 mm with a supra sellar extension and infra-sellar invasion filling the sphenoidal sinus. The second measures 18×16×22 mm with high signal intensity on T2 weighted MRIs, strongly enhanced after gadolinium injection suggestive of a schwannoma.

Conclusion: This association must be known as a new field of multiple neoplasms arising in the same person whose mechanism is still debated, especially in people without any personal history of radiation and neurofibromatosis.

Key Words: Vestibular schwannoma, pituitary tumour, prolactinoma.