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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Dopaminergic resistant prolactinomas in the peripubertal population
Carol Huang1, Shereen Ezzat, Sylvia L Asa
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Two children with resistant hyperprolactinemia and macroadenomas required surgery due to secondary pituitary dysfunction. Growth hormone treatment did not increase tumor size in one patient, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Macroadenomas can cause hyperprolactinemia, leading to pituitary dysfunction.
- Dopamine agonists are the primary medical treatment for hyperprolactinemia.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients presented with macroadenomas and hyperprolactinemia resistant to dopamine agonist therapy.
- Secondary pituitary dysfunction developed in both patients.
Findings:
- Surgical debulking was necessary for both patients.
- One patient received growth hormone treatment, with no observed increase in tumor size.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for surgical intervention in select cases of resistant pituitary macroadenomas.
- Suggests growth hormone therapy may be safely administered post-surgery without exacerbating tumor growth.
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