Changes in computed tomographic findings in microprolactinomas before and after bromocriptine

Abstract

Abstract. Computed tomography (CT) of the pituitary before and after bromocriptine treatment were performed in 10 patients with microprolactinoma. Intra-pituitary low densities were demonstrated in 7 out of the 10 patients before bromocriptine. Low densities shrank in size and increased in density after normalization of the plasma prolactin (Prl) level following bromocriptine. At the same time, various degrees of empty sella were demonstrated in these patients and in 2 out of the 3 without noticeable changes before treatment. It was concluded that enhanced CT scans, especially sagittal reconstruction images, were very informative for the diagnosis of microprolactinoma and that bromocriptine reduced the size of the microprolactinoma and often led to empty sella.