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. 1980 Mar;98(3):617–638.

Silent corticotropic adenomas of the human pituitary gland: a histologic, immunocytologic, and ultrastructural study.

E Horvath, K Kovacs, D W Killinger, H S Smyth, M E Platts, W Singer
PMCID: PMC1903510  PMID: 6244736

Abstract

Among 300 surgically removed pituitary adenomas, 17 tumors containing immunoreactive 1-39 adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and/or 19-39 ACTH, beta-lipotropin, and alpha-endorphin but unassociated with clinical signs of Cushing's disease have been detected. These neoplasms were divided into basophilic adenomas with strong periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and lead-hematoxylin positivity and chromophobic tumors with moderate or no PAS and lead-hematoxylin positivity. The former were densely granulated tumors with a fine structure strikingly similar to that of functioning corticotropic cell adenomas. The latter were sparsely granulated with varying ultrastructural patterns. The marked morphologic diversity suggests that these adenomas, despite their similar immunocytologic characteristics, represent more than one entity. Clinically, the most common finding was a rapidly progressing visual defect. An unusually high incidence of infarction (5 cases) and recurrence (5 cases) was noted, underlining the importance of correct morphologic diagnosis and careful follow-up.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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