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Bruce E. Stabile, MD; Edward Passaro, Jr, MD; Harold E. Carlson, MD

Arch Surg. 1981;116(4):449-453.

Abstract
• To estimate the prevalence of prolactinoma in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES), serum prolactin (PRL) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 36 patients with ZES. Eight patients had elevated PRL ievels; however, in one patient the finding was attributed to primary hypothyroidism rather than a prolactinoma. The seven other patients were believed to have previously undiagnosed prolactinomas on the basis of elevated serum PRL levels; the presence of pituitary tumors were confirmed in four by demonstration of sella turcica erosions or enlargement. Serial determinations over three to six years showed a tendency for serum PRL levels to increase modestly in four of six patients. Thus far, two patients have undergone transsphenoidal tumor resections with good results. This study suggests that the prevalence of prolactinoma in patients with ZES is substantial (19% for those with isolated ZES and 54% for those with ZES with multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1, syndrome), and that early diagnosis is possible with measurement of serum PRL levels. Since levels of PRL tend to increase and clinically significant pituitary tumors can develop, determinations of serial serum PRL levels are recommended for all patients with ZES.

(Arch Surg 1981;116:449-453)

Author Affiliations
From the Surgical Service (Drs Stabile and Passaro) and Endocrinology Section (Dr Carlson), VA Wadsworth Medical Center, and the Departments of Surgery (Drs Stabile and Passaro) and Medicine (Dr Carlson), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Sept 30, 1980.

Read at the Fourth Annual Surgical Symposium of the Association of Veterans Administration Surgeons, Alexandria, Va, May 13, 1980.

Reprint requests to Surgical Service (691/112K3), VA Wadsworth Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073 (Dr Stabile).

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