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Prolactinomas, Dopamine Agonists
and Headache: Two Case Reports
Levy MJ, Matharu MS, Goadsby PF
Posted: January 2004  
Eur J Neurol. 2003;10:169-173

Headache is a common problem in patients with pituitary tumors. Small pituitary lesions can cause debilitating headache, suggesting that the size of the pituitary tumor may not be the only casual factor in pituitary-related headache. We present two cases of prolactinoma-associated headache. The first case has a clinical diagnosis of short-lasting unilateral headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT). The second case has a clinical diagnosis of hemicrania continua and idiopathic stabbing headache. In each case, the administration of dopamine agonists has led to an exacerbation of symptoms. We review the relevant literature to understand the pathophysiological implications of these cases.