Hyperprolactinemia following traumatic myelopathy

Abstract

Prolactin, an anterior pituitary gland hormone, is necessary for breast development in pregnancy and initiation of lactation. Prolactinomas constitute a pathological cause of elevated serum prolactin levels and are the most common type of pituitary adenomas. Excess prolactin could result from physiological causes that include pregnancy, lactation, sleep, and coitus. The usual presentation of hyperprolactinemia is galactorrhea. There are reports of elevated prolactin levels following other pathological causes such as chest wall lesions, chest wall trauma, and medications. We report the rare association of hyperprolactinemia with traumatic injury to the spinal cord in a Nigerian patient, and a brief review of the relevant literature.