Waxing and waning of a pituitary mass in a young woman with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) due to a PROP-1 mutation

Pituitary. 2006;9(1):47-52. doi: 10.1007/s11102-006-6215-1.

Abstract

We describe a 23-yr old woman with congenital combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) diagnosed at 10 years of age and a large sellar mass discovered at the age of 19 years, when her first pituitary MRI was performed. The mass (height: 13 mm) extended to the suprasellar region, close to the optic chiasm, showed signal hyperintensity in T1- and hypointensity in T2-weighted images, with no enhancement after gadolinium injection. Although these MRI features were suggestive of Rathke's cleft cyst, cystic craniopharyngioma or previous hemorrhage, no visual symptoms, diabetes insipidus and/or hyperprolactinemia were present. In addition, similar MRI findings had been previously described in a few cases of CPHD due to PROP-1 mutations, which prompted us to carry out a molecular study before any therapeutic decision was made. A 301302delAG PROP-1 mutation was found in her DNA and the patient was closely followed through ophthalmologic evaluation and pituitary MRI scans. During a 3.6-year follow-up, we were able to document a marked initial growth followed by shrinkage and recurrent growth of the PROP-1 sellar mass. The patient remains free of compressive neuro-ophthalmological signs, suggesting that surgical intervention is unnecessary in these cases. However, they must be followed closely with sellar MRIs and campimetry until the mass completely regresses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mutation*
  • Pituitary Diseases / genetics*
  • Pituitary Gland / anatomy & histology
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology
  • Pituitary Hormones / deficiency*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • Prophet of Pit-1 protein
  • Transcription Factors