[Nonfunctional pituitary adenoma and pulmonary sarcoidosis--a case report]

A case of the coexistence of nonfunctional pituitary adenoma and pulmonary sarcoidosis is reported. 39 years old female presented symptoms of a pituitary-gonadal axis insufficiency, visual deficit and dizziness. CT pituitary imaging revealed large intra and extrasellar tumour. Histological examination of the tissue obtained at transsphenoidal surgery showed chromophobic adenoma. Hypopituitarism and transient diabetes insipidus occurred after the surgery. The adequate replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and sex steroids was introduced. At the time of the pituitary tumour diagnosis enlargement of pulmonary lymph nodes was also observed. Based on histological examination of tracheal and bronchial epithelium specimens obtained during bronchoscopy the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis was made. No other systemic sarcoidosis localisation was confirmed. Histological re-evaluation of adenoma showed no noncaseating granuloma tissue. The overlapping symptoms of pituitary adenoma and other intrasellar masses may result in diagnostic difficulties, particularly in the presence of systemic disorders in which this gland may be involved.