Spontaneous development of hyperprolactinaemia

Abstract

Spontaneous development of hyperprolactinemia was investigated by measuring prolactin [PRL] levels in 34 hyperprolactinemic females with a normal sella turcica, in 19 females with a radiologically proven prolactinoma and in 19 females with histologically proven prolactinoma after transsphenoidal surgery. PRL levels remained unchanged or declined in 69 patients followed over a period of up to 6 yr. In 1 patient with a normal sella turcica, PRL levels increased accompanied by the development of a radiologically detectable microprolactinoma. In 1 patient with a radiologically proven macroprolactinoma the increase of human PRL (hPRL) levels was accompanied by infiltrative and parasellar prolactinoma growth. One patient showed a dramatic increase of postoperative persisting elevated hPRL levels without radiological changes. Evidently, prolactinomas have a limited growth potential which should be considered in the management of hyperprolactinemic patients.