Giant pituitary macroadenoma with apoplexy presenting with isolated bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy: illustrative case.

Abstract

Background: Giant pituitary prolactinomas are rare entities that can present with pituitary apoplexy and acute neurological decline. Isolated acute hypoglossal nerve palsy is an extremely rare presentation that is not well described in the literature. The authors describe the case of a giant prolactin-secreting adenoma with apoplexy that presented with isolated bilateral hypoglossal palsy, followed by a brief review of the literature and management strategies.

Observations: A 62-year-old female with a history of neck pain presented after a syncopal episode with dysarthria and dysphagia attributed to bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsies. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a giant apoplectic pituitary tumor with extensive suprasellar and clival extension, including clear invasion of bilateral occipital condyles on computed tomography. The patient underwent urgent endoscopic transsphenoidal decompression and debulking of her tumor and was started on medical therapy with immediate, significant improvement in the bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsies.

Lessons: Prolactinomas presenting with acute neurological decline, including bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy, can benefit from urgent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical decompression and safe debulking. Bilateral condylar tumor invasion may not always require craniocervical surgical fixation in the acute setting. Patients should be followed up and monitored clinically and radiographically for any signs of craniocervical instability after the initiation of medical therapy. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24326.