Clusterlike headache in a patient with a pituitary adenoma. With a review of the literature

Headache. 1996 Mar;36(3):184-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1996.3603184.x.

Abstract

A man had left-sided atypical clusterlike headache for 9 years before he developed symptoms and signs consistent with acromegaly. Preoperative evaluation revealed raised levels of somatomedin C and growth hormone. An MR indicated a left-sided intrasellar mass measuring 8 x 7.5 x 10 mm. He underwent surgery and microscopy confirmed the diagnosis of a benign hypophyseal adenoma. Postoperatively, the acromegalic features regressed, and for the last 4 years the patient has been completely free from headache attacks. On pharmacological testing of the pupillary response to 1% and 5% phenylephrine and 2% tyramine solutions, there was no convincing evidence of persistent sympathetic dysfunction on the earlier symptomatic side.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications*
  • Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Cluster Headache / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis