Intradural metastatic spinal cord compression from ACTH-secreting pituitary carcinoma

Summary.

Pituitary carcinomas are uncommon and intradural metastatic spread to the spine is rarer still. We describe a 27-year old man with metastatic spinal cord compression from an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) cell pituitary carcinoma, 16 years following the initial presentation. He had three previous resections of the pituitary tumour and post-operative radiotherapy. The intradural, extramedullary spinal metastases causing thoracic and lumbar cord compression were excised, with neurological improvement.

Spinal metastases in pituitary carcinoma are uncommon, but aggressive surgical resection of the spinal metastases produces good symptomatic relief.