PITUITARY MACROADENOMA IN ADDISONS-DISEASE

Long-standing primary failure of pituitary-dependent endocrine glands may lead to hyperplasia of the pituitary cells. These changes in the p ituitary gland may be correlated with the severity and duration of tar get-endocrine gland insufficiency. Production of adrenocorticotrophic hormone by the pituitary tumour and modest hyperprolactinaemia may dev elop due to adrenocortical insufficiency, but production of prolactin by the pituitary tumour due to primary adrenal insufficiency is rare. A case study is presented, with primary adrenal insufficiency associat ed with hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary macroadenoma (most probably prolactinoma). Plasma levels of prolactin were found to decrease after glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and bromocriptine therapy.