Pituitary apoplexy associated with cabergoline therapy

Abstract

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare medical emergency which results from hemorrhage or infarction in the pituitary gland. One of the predisposing factors is treatment with dopamine agonists, especially bromocriptine. We report a 20-year-old Chinese man with prolactinoma who developed pituitary apoplexy 6 weeks after initiation of cabergoline. He was treated conservatively with supportive therapy, and recovered well with no loss of pituitary function. A literature search was conducted and a review of the reported patients with pituitary apoplexy during treatment with dopamine agonists is discussed.

Keywords: Bromocriptine; Cabergoline; Dopamine agonist; Pituitary apoplexy; Prolactinoma.