Diminishing right ocular visual acuity for three weeks in a 30 year old man was confirmed by examination. Bilateral scotomata and bitemporal hemiachromatopsia indicated a chiasmal lesion; reduced visual acuity and Marcus Gunn pupil of the right eye and left relative temporal hemianopia indicated asymmetric involvement. Erythrocytes in the CSF verified a suspected subarachnoid bleed; contrast-enhanced CAT scan demonstrated a suprasellar mass. A cystic, multiloculated, bluish mass distorted the right optic nerve, tract, and chiasm. A hematoma was evacuated and biopsy revealed a cavernous hemangioma of the right optic nerve. Post-operatively, visual acuity has recovered in the right eye but a left homonymous temporal hemianopia has developed.
Pituitary adenomas rarely are metastatic. Extracranial visceral metastases of prolactinomas were not previously reported. The authors report a case of a 34‐year‐old man with a prolactin‐producing pituitary carcinoma and histologically proven lung metastases. Pathologic examination of the pulmonary spread included electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry; these confirmed prolactin production by the tumor. The patient's presentation at initial diagnosis, disease recurrence, clinical course, management and response to therapy (with its theoretic basis) are detailed. Despite the use of dopamine analogues (to tolerance and in combination), there was documented intracranial and extracranial disease progression. Possible future therapeutic maneuvers are discussed.
A 30-year-old man presented with decreased vision in the right eye of three weeks' duration. Examination indicated a chiasmal syndrome and evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. CAT scan showed a large suprasellar mass. Surgical intervention confirmed the presence of a globular lesion filled with blood clots involving mainly the right side of the optic chiasm. Following removal of the clots, the chiasm regained its shape and anatomical landmarks. Biopsy of the mass demonstrated a venous angioma located within the optic chiasm as well as recent and old bleeding. Following surgery the patient did well and recovered vision in the right eye, though a left homonymous hemianopia persisted.
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