Cavernous sinus syndrome due to prolactinoma: resolution with bromocriptine

Abstract

Cavernous sinus syndrome due to a pituitary tumor is quite rare. Our patient had a large prolacinoma that extended superiorly, causing bitemporal visual field defects, and laterally into the right cavernous sinus, causing tearing, dysesthesia in the distribution of the fifth cranial nerve, a loss of the corneal reflex, and a sixth cranial nerve palsy. Prolactin levels ranged between 800 and 1000 ng/mL. Treatment with 7.5 mg of bromocriptine daily caused a marked reduction in the size of the tumor and resolution of her visual field defects and cranial nerve dysfunction over 6 months. We feel that bromocriptine should be considered as initial therapy for patients with prolactinomas extending into the middle or posterior cranial fossae.