Giant prolactinoma causing cranio-cervical junction instability: A case report

Abstract

Prolactinomas are common secretory pituitary tumours, usually managed with dopamine agonists. There have previously been case reports of rarer giant prolactinomas causing invasion of surrounding structures. We describe a case report of an exceptionally aggressive giant prolactinoma that eroded the occipital condyles causing cranio-cervical joint instability mandating surgical fixation.

Key words:

• Clinical assessment
• craniovertebral junction
• occipito-cervical fusion
• pituitary surgery
• giant prolactinoma

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. NSR Brooke, Dr. CA Eynon, Dr. J. Hell and Dr. R. Vundavallis in the care of this case.