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Plurihormonal pituitary adenoma with concomitant adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) secretion: a report of two cases and review of the literature

  • Case Report - Brain Tumors
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Abstract

Plurihormonal pituitary adenomas are tumours that show immunoreactivity for more than one hormone that cannot be explained by normal adenohypophysial cytodifferentiation. The most common combinations in these adenomas include growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and one or more glycoprotein hormone sub-units (β-TSH, β-FSH, β-LH and αSU). The authors report two cases of a plurihormonal pituitary adenoma expressing the rare combination of ACTH and GH. They both underwent successful transphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH). Long-term post-operative follow-up revealed no evidence of tumour recurrence. Due to the multiple secretions and plurihormonal characteristics clinical diagnosis of composite pituitary adenomas can be difficult. The authors discuss the diagnosis and management of composite pituitary adenomas and review the literature regarding this rare phenomenon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK

    Fahid Tariq Rasul, Akbar Ali Khan & Michael Powell

  2. Department of Neuropathology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK

    Zane Jaunmuktane & Rahul Phadke

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  1. Fahid Tariq Rasul
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  2. Zane Jaunmuktane
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  3. Akbar Ali Khan
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  4. Rahul Phadke
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  5. Michael Powell
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Correspondence to Fahid Tariq Rasul.

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Rasul, F.T., Jaunmuktane, Z., Khan, A.A. et al. Plurihormonal pituitary adenoma with concomitant adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) secretion: a report of two cases and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir 156, 141–146 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-013-1890-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-013-1890-y

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