Prolactin Adenomas in Senegal: Epidemiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects of 89 Cases

Abstract

Introduction: In Senegal, there is very little data on prolactinomas despite their negative impact on couples fertility. Patients and methods: This was a multicentre, retrospective, descriptive, analytical study conducted from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2022 in the neurosurgery departments of the Fann and Principal hospitals and the endocrinology department of the Abass Ndao Hospital. Results: We included 89 patients, representing a prevalence of 36.7% among all cases of pituitary adenoma. The mean age was 35.6 ± 10 years and the sex ratio was 0.34. The mean time to consultation was 27.1 ± 29 months. Clinical symptoms were dominated by gonadotropic disorders represented by galactorrhoea (71 cases, 79.8%), amenorrhoea (61 cases, 68.5%), and infertility in the couple (31 cases, 34.8%). Fifty-seven (58) patients presented with a tumour syndrome (65.2%, including 57 cases of headache (64%), 34 cases of visual disorders (38.2%) and 8 patients with a dysmorphic syndrome (8.9%). Imaging revealed a macroadenoma in 68.5% (61 cases) and extension of the adenoma in 11 patients (12.4%). The hormonal profile was isolated lactotropic hypersecretion (80 cases, 89.9%) and mixed in 9 cases (including concomitant secretion of GH in 8 cases and ACTH in 1 case). All patients had initially benefited? from dopaminergic agonist-based medical treatment. Pituitary surgery was effective in 45 patients (50.6%), including 44 cases by transsphenoidal approach. Postoperative incidents included transient diabetes insipidus (77.7%) and cerebrospinal fluid leakage (20%). We noted 7 cases (7.9%) of death presenting with a tumour syndrome (100%), a macro-adenoma (85.7%), having undergone pituitary surgery (42.9%). The factors significantly associated with prolactinoma were young age (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), long delay in consultation (p < 0.001) and a microadenoma (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This series also demonstrates the impact of prolactin adenomas on reproductive function. Delayed diagnosis explains the predominance of macroadenomas, which are a source of pre- and post-operative complications.