Total capsular calcification in a prolactinoma--case report

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 1996 Oct;36(10):729-32. doi: 10.2176/nmc.36.729.

Abstract

A 42-year-old male presented with a prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma with an atypical radiological appearance. The tumor was incidentally found by magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated a cystic tumor in the enlarged and partially empty sella turcica. Computed tomography revealed the tumor was surrounded by calcification with an egg-shell appearance. The serum prolactin level was 37 ng/ml. The operative finding was a calcified shell-containing cystic tumor. Immunohistochemical staining revealed prolactin-positive cells. The combination of the unusual calcification, and enlarged and partially empty sella was considered to be a sequela of spontaneous degeneration of the tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / etiology*
  • Empty Sella Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Empty Sella Syndrome / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / etiology
  • Male
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / complications
  • Pituitary Apoplexy / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prolactinoma / blood supply
  • Prolactinoma / complications*
  • Prolactinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Prolactinoma / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed