Ocon Rodríguez Jorge A, López Méndez Angélica, Mondragón Rosas Emilio, Arias Villaverde Airam A, Gloria Méndez Elizabeth, Cruz Méndez Michelle, Rivas Ayala Lourdes, González Flores José Emiliano
Neurosurgery, Legaria Pediatric Hospital and General Hospital of Mexico, Mexico City, MEX.
Pediatric Nephrology, Legaria Pediatric Hospital and National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, MEX.
Cureus. 2025 May 31;17(5):e85126. doi: 10.7759/cureus.85126. eCollection 2025 May.
Prolactinomas are the most common functional pituitary adenomas in the pediatric population, though they remain rare overall. Male adolescents often present with larger and more aggressive tumors than female adolescents, with delayed symptoms such as visual disturbances, headaches, and hypogonadism due to the absence of early hormonal signs. We report the case of a 15-year-old previously healthy male patient who presented with a one-month history of severe frontal headache, followed by blurred vision and vomiting. On examination, he exhibited bilateral mydriatic pupils unresponsive to light, left eye outward deviation, ataxic gait, and asthenic appearance. Brain MRI revealed a large sellar mass suggestive of an invasive pituitary adenoma. Laboratory evaluation showed extreme hyperprolactinemia (50,260.9 ng/mL) and central hypothyroidism, leading to the diagnosis of a giant invasive prolactinoma. He was treated with cabergoline and levothyroxine. Due to neuropsychiatric symptoms (hallucinations, insomnia, and agitation), aripiprazole and melatonin were added. No evidence of apoplexy or intracranial hypertension was found. Craniotomy surgery was performed successfully. Clinical improvement was observed, but the patient was lost to follow-up. This case illustrates the classical presentation of giant prolactinoma in a male adolescent, emphasizing the size-prolactin correlation and the importance of early detection and medical treatment. Neuropsychiatric symptoms can emerge as a result of tumor mass effect or dopaminergic therapy. Long-term follow-up is essential to evaluate treatment response and prevent endocrine and developmental complications. Genetic testing for MEN1 or AIP mutations should be considered in young patients with aggressive pituitary adenomas.
泌乳素瘤是儿科人群中最常见的功能性垂体腺瘤,尽管总体上仍然罕见。男性青少年的肿瘤通常比女性青少年更大且更具侵袭性,由于缺乏早期激素症状,会出现视力障碍、头痛和性腺功能减退等延迟症状。我们报告一例15岁既往健康的男性患者,他有1个月的严重前额头痛病史,随后出现视力模糊和呕吐。检查时,他表现为双侧瞳孔散大,对光无反应,左眼向外偏斜,共济失调步态,外观虚弱。脑部MRI显示鞍区有一个大肿块,提示侵袭性垂体腺瘤。实验室检查显示极度高泌乳素血症(50260.9 ng/mL)和中枢性甲状腺功能减退,从而诊断为巨大侵袭性泌乳素瘤。他接受了卡麦角林和左甲状腺素治疗。由于出现神经精神症状(幻觉、失眠和躁动),加用了阿立哌唑和褪黑素。未发现卒中或颅内高压的证据。成功进行了开颅手术。观察到临床症状改善,但患者失访。该病例说明了男性青少年巨大泌乳素瘤的典型表现,强调了肿瘤大小与泌乳素的相关性以及早期检测和治疗的重要性。神经精神症状可能是肿瘤占位效应或多巴胺能治疗的结果。长期随访对于评估治疗反应和预防内分泌及发育并发症至关重要。对于侵袭性垂体腺瘤的年轻患者,应考虑进行MEN1或AIP基因突变的基因检测。