Clinical characteristics and presence of prolactinoma in women with hyperprolactinemia

Objectives: To clinically characterize women with hyperprolactinemia at InSer Pereira (Colombia) and to determine the prevalence of prolactinoma. Methods: Retrospective description of 45 patients with hyperprolactinemia, and contrasted pituitary magnetic resonance (MR), between January 2008 and July 2013. Clinical manifestations, etiology, serum prolactin level, and MR findings were included. Results: The most frequent clinical manifestations were: infertility, galactorrhea, oligomenorrhea. There were 26 cases of prolactinoma (57.8 %), and 12 of idiopathic hyperprolactinemia (26.6 %). Out of the 26 prolactinomas, 23 were microadenomas (average size 5.1 mm; SD +/- 3.2 mm). Average serum prolactin level was 74.05 ng/mL (SD +/- 13.33 ng/mL). 78 % of patients with prolactinoma had serum prolactin level under 70.0 ng/mL. No significant association was found between serum prolactin level and the presence of prolactinoma. Conclusion: Prolactinomas are the main cause of hyperprolactinemia and they are found mostly with slight rise of serum prolactin. Pituitary MRI is recommended in patients with hyperprolactinemia, regardless of their prolactin level.