Macroprolactinoma revealed by an exophthalmos

With the purpose of illustrating a particular circumstance of giant macroprolactinoma diagnosis, we report the case of a 54-year-old woman who was seen in the Endocrinology department with the suspected diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in presence of unilateral exophthalmos. The patient reported headaches during the last year and secondary amenorrhea since she was 38 years old. The ophthalmologic examination confirmed the unilateral left exophthalmos, which was associated with oculomotor paralysis and vision loss. The computed tomography demonstrated a great mass of the sella extending in all directions and destroying the bone. The hormonal investigation confirmed the diagnosis of prolactinoma, with a level of 8723 ng/ml, and revealed hypopituitarism. The start of bromocriptin treatment was followed by a fall in the prolactin level to less then 200 ng/ml in 1 month. This case is particular regarding the giant macroprolactinoma in a woman discovered by an unusual visual complication. © 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.