A case of functioning gonadotroph adenoma in a reproductive aged woman.

ABSTRACT

A 34-year-old woman presented our hospital with complaint of irregular menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding lasting for a month. After her second parturition at the age of 27, her menstrual cycle had been regular, but it suddenly became irregular at the age of 30. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed the presence of ovarian mass, and the patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopic surgery. Bilateral ovaries temporally shrink after puncture but the size soon resumed. Gonadotropins were almost normal, but estradiol and PRL levels turned out to be elevated, and cabergoline treatment was initiated. After referral to our hospital, we found that the ovaries showed multifollicular appearance. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed an 18-mm macroadenoma in the suprasellar area. To suppress the secretion of endogenous gonadotropins and estrogen, low-dose estrogen-progestin was prescribed. Surprisingly, the treatment temporarily reduced the size of the ovaries. The patient was referred to a neurosurgeon, and a functioning gonadotroph adenoma was suspected. After the resection of the pituitary tumor, her menstrual cycle became regular, and the size of bilateral ovaries became normal. We also noticed that her ovarian reserve judged by anti-Müllerian hormone had been almost diminished after the surgical treatment, probably reflecting the exhaustion of follicular pool. Women with multifollicular ovaries and elevated estradiol levels may have functioning gonadotroph adenomas, although the level of FSH is relatively normal, and ovarian reserve can be followed by measuring anti-Müllerian hormone.