Background:Epilepsy is a heterogeneous condition with numerous etiologies. Pituitary tumors are rarely responsible for generalized convulsions except when they are very large. Apart from anecdotic cases, only one study concerning epilepsy frequency in male macroprolactinomas is available in Medline. Our aim was to analyze epilepsy frequency and conditions under which seizures appear and disappear in men harboring macroprolactinomas or somatolactotroph adenomas.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 90 men with macro-adenomas (>1 cm) secreting prolactin (PRL) (n = 82) or both PRL and growth hormone (n = 8) to look for generalized seizures. We took into account familial and personal medical history, clinical examination, routine and hormonal analyzes, and radiological assessment based on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging.Results:Between 1992 and 2012, we collected eight cases (8.9%): Seven were hospitalized for recent generalized seizures; one had epilepsy after conventional radiotherapy given in 1992 because of neurosurgery failure and resistance to bromocriptine. Their median age was 33.75 years (22-58), median PRL was 9,198 ng/ml and median tumor height was 74 mm (41-110). The temporal lobe was invaded in six cases. After tumor reduction, epilepsy disappeared and never relapsed after a follow-up varying between 1 and 20 years.Conclusion:Epilepsy, which is a life-threatening condition, can be the first presentation in men with prolactinomas or somatolactotroph adenomas, especially those involving the supra sellar area, and the brain. Convulsions can also appear after radiotherapy. That one should be avoided, if possible, before tumor reduction by surgery or medical treatment.

Introduction:Prolactinomas are less frequent, but more invasive in males. Giant ones (≥4 cm) are extremely rare in literature. Their neurological, psychiatric and endocrine complications are life threatening. Our aim was to report the largest mono center series in order to analyze their frequency, their characteristics, and their complications.Subjects and Methods:All patients had clinical examination, hormonal, ophthalmological, and radiological assessment based on computed tomography scan and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. Positive diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, high prolactin ± immunohistochemy study. Mixed adenomas were excluded by hormonal exploration and immunohistochemy. For those who received medical treatment only, a reduction in tumor size was considered a supplementary positive point for the diagnosis.Results:Among 154 male prolactinomas seen between 1987 and 2013, we observed 44 giant tumors (28.5%). Median age = 36 years, and 38.3% were under 30. Median tumor height = 53.95 mm (40–130) and median prolactin = 15,715 ng/ml (n < 20). Solid and cystic aspect ± calcifications was observed in 25%. 42 had cavernous sinuses invasion. Other invasions were: Posterior= 65.9%, anterior= 63.6%, temporal= 15.9% and frontal = 9%. For endocrine complications: Hypogonadism = 98.4%, thyrotroph and corticotroph deficits were seen in respectively 34%, and 32%. Posterior pituitary insufficiency was observed in one case. For ophthalmological complications: Optic atrophy = 46%, Ptosis = 6.8%, diplopia/strabismus = 4.5%. Neurological complications were: Memory loss and/or unconsciousness = 18.2%, epilepsy = 15.9%, frontal syndrome = 9% and obstructive hydrocephalus = 6.8%.Conclusion:Giant prolactinomas account for 28% in our population. Severe neurological complications are frequent. But, obstructive hydrocephalus is rare, which argues for a slow progression.

Background:Suppurative meningitis (SM) or bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening condition, which is exceptionally due to pituitary tumors (PT). Our aim was to analyze its frequency among male macroprolactinomas (MPRL) deemed to be aggressive, to report the cases we observed in our practice and describe the circumstances under which SM appeared.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 82 male MPRL in order to look for a history of well proved SM and the circumstances under which SM appeared. We also took into account the possibility of SM relapsing.Results:Four out of 82 male MPRL had SM = 4.87%. Three consulted for SM symptoms. SM was confirmed in Infectious Diseases department, but only one had rhinorrhea. Hormonal assessment and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging pleaded for aggressive prolactinomas. After antibiotics, SM was sterilized. Then, MPRL were treated with bromocriptine, which normalized prolactin and reduced PT. SM never relapsed. The 4th case was hospitalized for a large multidirectional prolactinoma invading and/or arising from the skull base. He was operated on 3 times and then he was given Bromocriptine. After 3 months, he had rhinorrhea and then SM which was successfully treated by antibiotics. SM never relapsed after tumor reduction.Conclusion:SM was demonstrated in 4.87%. SM has revealed MPRL in 3 cases and appeared after bromocriptine intake in the 4th one. Endocrinologists should be aware of this severe condition, which can be avoided by repairing as soon as possible the bony defect secondary to aggressive tumors, unless it is clogged by fibrosis: What probably happened in our cases.

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