Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas. III. Frequency and diagnosis in amenorrhea-galactorrhea

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Hypocycloidal tomograms of the sella turcica and serum prolactin concentrations were obtained in 146 women with amenorrhea, galactorrhea, or both to diagnose prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas. Findings suggesting an adenoma, i.e., abnormal tomogram and elevated serum prolactin concentration, were found in 24.6% (16/65) of previously unscreened patients and 59.2% (48/81) of prescreened patients. The combination of an abnormal tomogram and elevated prolactin level was relatively specific for an adenoma, as 91% (42/46) of women with these findings who underwent surgery had histologically confirmed tumors. Tumors occurred in women from 15-45 yr of age, with amenorrhea or galactorrhea ranging from 6 mo. > 20 yr in duration. Some women in this series also had obesity, rapid weight loss, polycystic ovarian syndrome, amenorrhea following discontinuance of oral contraceptive use or emotional stress.

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit: