Primary hypothyroidism-associated TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma/hyperplasia presenting as a bleeding nasal mass and extremely elevated TSH level

Coexistence of TSH-secreting adenoma and primary hypothyroidism: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Thyrotropin-secreting adenoma (TSHoma) is the least common type of pituitary adenoma, these patients often present with symptoms of hyperthyroidism. When TSHoma patients combined with autoimmune hypothyroidism, it is critically difficult to diagnose for the specific confusion in the results of thyroid function test.

CASE PRESENTATION

One middle-aged male patient was presented with a sellar tumor on cranial MRI for headache symptoms. After hospitalization, a significant increase in thyrotropin (TSH) was revealed by the endocrine tests, while free thyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) decreased, and the diffuse destruction of thyroid gland was revealed by thyroid ultrasound. Based on the endocrine test results, the patient was diagnosed as autoimmune hypothyroidism. After the multidisciplinary discussion, the pituitary adenoma was removed by endoscopic transnasal surgery, until the tumor was completely excised, for which TSHoma was revealed by postoperative pathology. A significant decrease of TSH was revealed by the postoperative thyroid function tests, the treatment for autoimmune hypothyroidism was conducted. After 20 months of follow-up, the thyroid function of patient had been improved significantly.

CONCLUSION

When the thyroid function test results of patients with TSHoma are difficult to interpret, the possibility of combined primary thyroid disease should be considered. TSHoma combined with autoimmune hypothyroidism is rare, which is difficult to diagnose. The multidisciplinary collaborative treatment could help to improve the outcomes of treatment.

A giant invasive macroprolactinoma with recurrent nasal bleeding as the first clinical presentation: case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Giant prolactinoma (> 4 cm in dimension) is a rare disorder. Invasive macroprolactinoma has the potential to cause base of skull erosion and extend into the nasal cavity or even the sphenoid sinus. Nasal bleeding caused by intranasal tumor extension is a rare complication associated with invasive giant prolactinoma. We report a case of giant invasive macroprolactinoma with repeated nasal bleeding as the initial symptom.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 24-year-old man with an invasive giant prolactinoma in the nasal cavity and sellar region who presented with nasal bleeding as the initial symptom, misdiagnosed as olfactory neuroblastoma. However, markedly elevated serum prolactin levels (4700 ng/mL), and a 7.8-cm invasive sellar mass confirmed the diagnosis of invasive giant prolactinoma. He was treated with oral bromocriptine. Serum prolactin was reduced to near normal after 6 months of treatment. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed that the sellar lesion had disappeared completely and the skull base lesions were reduced.

CONCLUSION

This case is notable in demonstrating the aggressive nature of untreated invasive giant prolactinomas which can cause a diagnostic difficulty with potential serious consequences. Early detection of hormonal levels can avoid unnecessary nasal biopsy. Early identification of pituitary adenoma with nasal bleeding as the first symptom is particularly important.

A Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) Producing Adenoma in a Patient with Severe Hypothyroidism: Thyroxine Replacement Reduced the TSH Level and Tumor Size

We treated an extremely rare thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-producing pituitary adenoma in a 63-year-old woman with severe hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis. She was presented with dizziness and fatigue. The blood level of TSH, prolactin, and fT4 was 288.2 μIU/mL, 72.9 ng/mL, and 0.24 ng/dL, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large pituitary tumor, 31 mm in height, and a normal pituitary gland. Preoperative thyroxine replacement reduced the TSH level to 2.05 μIU/mL and produced a significant reduction in the tumor volume. Histopathologically, the surgically removed tumor was a TSH-producing pituitary adenoma.

Primary hypothyroidism in a child leads to pituitary hyperplasia: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

A sellar mass in children is most often seen in craniopharyngeal tumors, intracranial germ cell tumors, or pituitary adenomas. However, pituitary hyperplasia secondary to primary hypothyroidism (PHPH) is not commonly seen in children.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 10-year-old girl was admitted due to growth retardation and obesity for 4 years. On physical examination, the patient had a height of 118 cm, body weight of 46 kg, body mass index (BMI) of 33.0 kg/m.

DIAGNOSES

After magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laboratory tests, her initial diagnosis was Hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary hypothyroidism, and reactive pituitary hyperplasia.

INTERVENTIONS

She was treated with oral L-thyroxine tablets.

OUTCOMES

After 6 months, physical examination showed a height of 125 cm, weight of 36 kg, BMI of 23.0 kg/m. She developed well, with 12 cm of yearly growth thereafter.

LESSONS

The diagnosis of PHPH in a child is very important and sometimes difficult. Based on the summary and analysis of previous cases, we can learn that the main manifestations of PHPH include growth arrest and obesity, perhaps accompanied by symptoms caused by a decreased thyroid hormone concentration and elevated prolactin (PRL) concentration. Intracranial MRI shows diffuse enlargement of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, with a dome-shaped blunt edge change. Thyroid hormone levels may decrease, whereas the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level increases, commonly accompanied by an elevated PRL, reduced growth hormone (GH) levels, and positive findings of TPOAb and TGAb. Improvement of symptoms and the normalization of hormone levels as well as restoration of pituitary size can be achieved after treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. And a hasty decision on surgical resection should be avoided when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Emergence of a latent TSHoma pituitary macroadenoma on a background of primary autoimmune hypothyroidism

The coexistence of primary hypothyroidism and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulating pituitary macroadenoma can be a rare occurrence and can make diagnosis very challenging. We describe a case of a 44-year-old female with a history of fatigue, poor concentration, weight gain and amenorrhoea together with biochemical evidence of primary autoimmune hypothyroidism. Her initial TSH levels were elevated with low normal free thyroxine (T4) levels. Levothyroxine treatment was initiated and the dose was gradually titrated to supraphysiologic doses. This led to the normalisation of her TSH levels but her free T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) levels remained persistently elevated. This prompted a serum prolactin check which returned elevated at 2495 μ/L, leading onto pituitary imaging. A MRI of the pituitary gland revealed a pituitary macroadenoma measuring 2.4 × 2 × 1.6 cm. Despite starting her on cabergoline therapy with a reduction in her prolactin levels, her TSH levels began to rise even further. Additional thyroid assays revealed that she had an abnormally elevated alpha subunit at 3.95 (age-related reference range <3.00). This corresponded to a thyroid-secreting hormone pituitary macroadenoma. She went on to have a transphenoidal hypophysectomy. Histology revealed tissues staining for TSH, confirming this to be a TSH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma. This case highlighted the importance of further investigations with thyroid assay interferences, heterophile antibodies, alpha subunit testing and anterior pituitary profile in cases of resistant and non-resolving primary hypothyroidism. Learning points: •• Levothyroxine treatment in primary hypothyroidism can potentially unmask the presence of a latent TSH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma, which can make diagnosis very challenging. •• A high index of suspicion should prompt clinicians to further investigate cases of primary hypothyroidism which despite increasing doses of levothyroxine treatment with normalisation of TSH, the free T4 and T3 levels remain persistently elevated. •• Clinicians should consider investigating for adherence to levothyroxine, thyroid assay interference, heterophile antibodies, TSH dilution studies, alpha subunit and anterior pituitary profile testing to further clarity the diagnosis in these patients. •• Although coexistent cases of TSHoma with primary hypothyroidism are rare, it should always be in the list of differential diagnoses in cases of unresolving primary hypothyroidism.

Epistaxis as first clinical presentation in a child with giant prolactinoma: Case report and review of literature

Pituitary tumour have a wide way of presentation. Epistaxis due to pituitary adenoma has been rarely reported. There is no report of bleeding from nose as clinical first presentation in a child. We report the first case in literature where a child had epistaxis for eight months before deterioration of vision. He was found to be having a invasive prolactinoma with normal prolactin levels.

Cushing's disease in a patient with steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Cushing's disease rarely appears as a consequence of hereditary disease. However, familial diseases with diminished glucocorticoid feedback are associated with secondary hypercorticotropinism and have been shown to give rise to pituitary adenomas. We here describe the rare case of a 30-year old female patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who also showed clinical signs and a typical history of hypercortisolism that was specified as Cushing's disease. After removal of a pituitary microadenoma, serum-cortisol levels fell below normal and the symptoms improved. However, after four years the menstrual cycle was irregular again and ACTH levels were in the upper range of normal. A corticotropin challenge showed a minor cortisol response but a marked increase in 17-hydroxyprogesterone serum concentrations. Genetic analysis revealed a homozygous mutation in exon 7 of the CYP21A2 gene (CTG>TTG, p.V281L). We conclude that a marked ACTH drive was able to override insufficient 21-hydroxylation and even to cause hypercortisolism. Although we describe a rare case, the impairment of the glucocorticoid feedback system in the context of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and other diseases may contribute to the development of secondary hypercorticotropinism as well as corticotropin producing adenomas.

Pituitary tumor transforming gene overexpression facilitates pituitary tumor development

Intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli result in profound pituitary growth changes ranging from hypoplasia to hyperplasia. Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) abundance correlates with pituitary trophic status. Mice with Pttg inactivation exhibit pituitary hypoplasia, whereas targeted pituitary PTTG overexpression driven by alpha-subunit glycoprotein (alphaGSU) promoter results in focal pituitary hyperplasia. To test the impact of pituitary hyperplasia on tumor development, we crossbred alphaGSU.PTTG with Rb+/- mice, which develop pituitary tumors with high penetrance. Pituitary glands of resulting bitransgenic alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- mice were compared with monotransgenic alphaGSU.PTTG, Rb+/-, and wild-type mice. Confocal microscopy showed that PTTG-overexpressing cells have enlarged nuclei and marked redistribution of chromatin, and electron microscopy of alphaGSU.PTTG pituitaries showed enlarged gonadotrophs with prominent Golgi complexes and numerous secretory granules. These morphological findings were even more remarkable in alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- pituitaries. Mice from all four genotypes were sequentially imaged by magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate pituitary volume, and glands from alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- mice were the largest as early as 2 months of age (P = 0.0003). Cumulative incidence of pituitary tumors visualized by magnetic resonance imaging did not differ between Rb+/- and alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- mice. However, anterior lobe tumors determined after necropsy were 3.5 times more frequent in alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- than in Rb+/- mice (P = 0.0036), whereas the frequency of intermediate lobe tumors was similar. In summary, alphaGSU.PTTGxRb+/- pituitary glands exhibit enhanced cellular activity, increased volume, and higher prevalence of anterior pituitary tumors, indicating that changes in pituitary PTTG content directly relate to both pituitary trophic status and tumorigenic potential.

Coexistence of TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma and autoimmune hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE

TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas account for about 1-2% of all pituitary adenomas. Their diagnosis may be very difficult when coexistence of other diseases masquerades the clinical and biochemical manifestations of TSH-hypersecretion.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 41-yr-old female patient, weighing 56 kg, was referred for evaluation of an intra- and suprasellar mass causing menstrual irregularities. Eight yr before, the patient had been given a diagnosis of subclinical autoimmune hypothyroidism because of slightly elevated TSH levels and low-normal free T4 (FT4). Menses were normal. Despite increasing doses of levo-T4 (L-T4; up to 125 microg/day), TSH levels remained elevated and the patient developed mild symptoms of hyperthyroidism. After 7 yr, the menstrual cycle ceased. Gonadotropins were normal, whereas PRL level was elevated at 70 microg/l and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hypothalamic- pituitary region revealed a pituitary lesion with slight suprasellar extension. The tumor was surgically removed and histological examinations revealed a pituitary adenoma strongly positive for TSH. Three months after surgery the patient was well while receiving L-T4 75 microg/day and normal menses had resumed. MRI of the hypothalamic-pituitary region showed no evidence of residual tumor. At the last follow-up, 16 months after surgery, serum TSH, free T3 (FT3), and FT4 levels were normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Coexistence of autoimmune hypothyroidism and TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma may cause further delays in the diagnosis of the latter. In patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism, one should be aware of the possible presence of a TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma when TSH levels do not adequately suppress in the face of high doses of L-T4 replacement therapy and elevated serum thyroid hormone levels.

Autoimmune hypothyroidism coexisting with a pituitary adenoma secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin and alpha-subunit

A 44-year-old woman presented to her GP with excessive tiredness. She had positive thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin autoantibodies and was found to have an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration of 8.37 (normal = 0.15-3.5)mU/L and a low normal total thyroxine (T4) of 86 (reference range 60-145)nmol/L. She was rendered symptom free on a dose of 150 microg of thyroxine per day. However, her TSH failed to return to normal, and following a further increase in her thyroxine dose she was referred to the endocrine clinic for further assessment. Her TSH at this stage was 14mU/L, free T4 (fT4) 28 (normal = 10-27)pmol/L and free T3 (fF3) 10 (normal = 4.3-7.6)pmol/L. She denied any problems with adherence to her medication. Her serum prolactin was elevated at 861 (normal = 60-390)mU/L. A pituitary tumour was suspected and an MRI scan showed a macroadenoma of the right lobe of the pituitary, extending into the suprasellar cistern. The tumour was resected trans-sphenoidally. Electron microscopy showed a dual population of neoplastic cells compatible with a thyrotroph cell and prolactin-secreting adenoma. Immunocytochemistry and cell culture studies confirmed the secretion of TSH, prolactin and alpha-subunit. Postoperative combined anterior pituitary function tests did not demonstrate any deficiency of anterior pituitary hormones. A repeat MRI scan showed no significant residual tumour; however, her serum TSH and prolactin levels remained high and she was given a course of pituitary irradiation. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing a TSHoma when it coexists with autoimmune hypothyroidism. We believe the combination of pathologies reported here is unique.