Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Epilepsy is a heterogeneous condition with different aetiologies including genetics, cerebral trauma, toxic exposures, infection, vascular diseases and neoplasms. Among the last ones, pituitary tumours (PT) are rarely responsible of convulsions, except when they are very large invading the nervous system. Our aim is to analyze the conditions under which the epilepsy appears and disappears in people with pituitary tumours.

Subjects and methods: We have analyzed eight subjects who were hospitalized in our department for pituitary tumours and epilepsy. After questioning them, they were examined, and then had biological, hormonal and radiological assessment based on MRI.

Among this group we had six pure PRL, one adenoma secreting prolactin and GH and the 8th one was a non functioning pituitary tumour. Chronic epileptic crisis was the consultation motive in 7/8 cases although there were other symptoms such as visual and sexual troubles. In one case acute epileptic crisis appears during radiotherapy. All were males, mean age=33.75 years (22–58), mean prolactin=9198 ng/ml and tumour’s height was >40 mm in all except one. The temporal lobe was invaded in six cases. After tumour volume reduction (by surgery n=1, medications n=7), epilepsy disappeared and epileptic drugs were stopped except in one recent case.

Conclusion: Epilepsy which is a life threatening condition can reveal some pituitary tumours, especially large somatolactotrop or pure prolactinomas. It can also appear under aggressive treatment such as radiotherapy. That one should be avoided before tumour reduction by surgery or medical treatment if possible.