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Total capsular calcification in a prolactinoma--case report
T Horiuchi1, Y Tanaka, S Kobayashi
1Department of Neurosurgery, Suwa Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan.
Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|October 1, 1996
Summary
A pituitary adenoma with unusual calcification was incidentally discovered. This rare presentation, likely due to tumor degeneration, highlights atypical radiological features of prolactinomas.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroimaging
- Pathology
Background:
- Pituitary adenomas are common tumors, but atypical presentations require careful radiological and pathological evaluation.
- Prolactinomas are the most frequent type of pituitary adenoma, typically presenting with hyperprolactinemia symptoms.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old male incidentally found to have a cystic pituitary tumor with an egg-shell calcification on CT and an enlarged, partially empty sella turcica on MRI.
- Operative findings confirmed a cystic tumor encased in a calcified shell.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed prolactin-positive cells, confirming a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma.
Findings:
- The radiological findings, including extensive calcification and an enlarged, partially empty sella turcica, were atypical for a pituitary adenoma.
- The combination of imaging features and operative findings suggested spontaneous tumor degeneration as the cause of the unusual presentation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare radiological appearances in pituitary adenomas.
- Spontaneous degeneration should be included in the differential diagnosis for cystic pituitary lesions with calcification.
- Further research into the mechanisms of pituitary adenoma degeneration could improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies.