An ultrarapid prognostic index in microprolactinoma surgery

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Object. Prolactinomas account for approximately 40% of pituitary tumors. If the tumor does not exceed 10 mm at its largest diameter (microprolactinoma), the chances of definitive cure as a result of surgery alone vary from 62 to 89% depending on the series. Until now, however, there was no mechanism to predict whether total excision of a tumor had been accomplished. To improve the chances of total excision, we compared the peri- and postoperative kinetics of circulating prolactin (PRL) in patients judged to be cured and those not cured. Methods. The pre-, peri-, and postoperative variations in blood PRL concentrations were determined using assays conducted at 10-minute intervals. Of the 36 patients included in the study, 27 were considered cured (resumption of a normal menstrual cycle within 6 months, PRL concentration at 9 days [mean ± standard deviation 2.5 ± 2.1 ng/ml] and 12 months [4.5± 2.2 ng/ml] after the operation < 10 ng/ml and normally stimulated by metoclopramide and thyrotropin-releasing hormo...