Mussa H Almalki MBBS, SSC-MED,
CABM, MHSc
1, 2
Ehud Ur MBBS, FRCP
1
Michelle Johnson MD, FRCPC
1
David B Clarke MD, Ph D, FRCSC,
FACS
3
Syed A Imran MBBS, FRCP (Edin),
FRCPC
3
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada
1
. Diabetes Center,
King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Ara-
bia
2
. Divisions of Neurosurgery and Endocri-
nology and Metabolism, Dalhousie University,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
3
Management of prolactinomas during
pregnancy – A survey of four
Canadian provinces
Abstract
Purpose: e guidelines for management of prolactinomas during pregnancy are mostly
based on retrospective evidence or expert opinion. We conducted a survey to assess the
current trends in management of prolactinomas during pregnancy.
Methods: A case-based electronic questionnaire was sent in January 2011 to all practicing
endocrinologists, in four Canadian provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Ed-
ward Island and British Columbia with three cases of varying severity; ranging from a mi-
croprolactinomas to a large macroprolactinomas compressing the optic chiasm.
Result: ere was a considerable diversity among endocrinologists with regards to moni-
toring and managing prolactinomas during pregnancy. In case of microprolactinomas, 94%
of specialists would discontinue dopamine agonist (DA) therapy upon confirmation of
pregnancy, 79% would discontinue serum prolactin measurement during pregnancy, and
94% would not perform routine pituitary imaging in the absence of new symptoms
whereas 32% would perform regular formal visual field (VF) testing throughout preg-
nancy. In the case of macroprolactinomas, 65% chose to discontinue DA therapy upon
confirmation of pregnancy, 30% would either perform regular MRI during pregnancy or, if
serum prolactin was thought to be elevated out of proportion, with clinical judgment and
40% would not perform regular formal VF monitoring during pregnancy. In management
of large macroprolactinomas, 82% elected to continue DA therapy whereas 18% chose
surgical excision as the treatment of choice. Forty nine percent would perform regular
MRI during pregnancy and 94% would perform regular formal VF monitoring during
pregnancy.
Conclusion: Among endocrinologists there is considerable diversity in management of
prolactinomas during pregnancy, indicating a need for better consensus and clearer
guidelines.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
© 2012 CIM Clin Invest Med • Vol 35, no 2, April 2012 E96
Correspondence to:
Dr. S A Imran
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
1276 South Street, Halifax, NS Canada
B3H 2Y9
Email: ali.imran@cdha.nshealth.ca
Manuscript submitted 5th December, 2011
Manuscript accepted 29th January, 2012
Clin Invest Med 2012; 35 (2): E96-E104.