Bilateral intracavernous carotid aneurysms mimicking a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor

The triad of hyperprolactinemia, ophthalmoplegia, and radiologic abnormalities of the sell turcica suggest a tumor in the area of the pituitary gland. A new association--bilateral intracavernous carotid aneurysms--is presented. Two elderly women had extraocular muscle palsies and elevated serum prolactin levels of 71 and 32 ng/ml (normal: less than 20 ng/ml). In the former, a high-resolution computed tomography scan made after contrast medium injection was incorrectly interpreted as demonstrating a pituitary tumor; cerebral arteriography revealed bilateral aneurysms. In the other patient, a computed tomography scan after contrast medium injection demonstrated the bilateral aneurysms, and these were confirmed by radionuclide angiography.