Klibanski A, Ridgway E C, Zervas N T
J Neurosurg. 1983 Oct;59(4):585-9. doi: 10.3171/jns.1983.59.4.0585.
The authors describe six patients with pituitary macroadenomas hypersecreting only the alpha subunit of the glycoprotein hormones. These patients had been previously diagnosed as having "non-functioning chromophobe adenomas." All of the patients had visual field abnormalities and partial hypopituitarism. The elevated serum alpha concentrations showed a variable response to stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and could not be suppressed by thyroid hormone administration. Immunological, gel chromatographic, and immunocytochemical studies documented that only the alpha subunit was present. Following pituitary surgery and radiotherapy, serum alpha levels decreased. These patients represent a new subset of functioning pituitary tumors. Determination of alpha subunit concentration is useful in managing some patients with pituitary tumors previously thought to have non-functioning chromophobe adenomas.
作者描述了6例仅分泌糖蛋白激素α亚基的垂体大腺瘤患者。这些患者先前被诊断为“无功能嫌色性腺瘤”。所有患者均有视野异常和部分垂体功能减退。血清α浓度升高对促甲状腺激素释放激素刺激的反应各异，且甲状腺激素给药不能抑制。免疫学、凝胶色谱和免疫细胞化学研究证明仅存在α亚基。垂体手术和放疗后，血清α水平下降。这些患者代表了一种新的功能性垂体肿瘤亚型。测定α亚基浓度有助于管理一些先前被认为患有无功能嫌色性腺瘤的垂体肿瘤患者。
