Ovarian hyperstimulation and oophorectomy following accidental daily clomiphene citrate use over three consecutive months

Continuous follicle-stimulating hormone exposure from pituitary adenoma causes periodic follicle recruitment and atresia, which mimics ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Context

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is usually a nonfunctioning tumor, but in rare cases it may develop into ovarian hyperstimulation. Several reports have revealed that serum FSH levels are normal to slightly high in patients with combined FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma with ovarian hyperstimulation. This finding is different from iatrogenic ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is associated with extremely high levels of FSH.

Objective

To describe the clinical course of two patients who developed OHSS from FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma.

Results

Endocrine studies of the two cases revealed that FSH levels were normal or slightly increased, but luteinizing hormone levels were low to undetectable. Their estradiol (E2) levels were intriguing: levels fluctuated drastically over 6 weeks in Case 1, but stayed flat in Case 2. Ultrasonographic examinations showed bilaterally enlarged multicystic ovaries, and magnetic resonance imaging indicated pituitary tumors. Transsephenoidal resection of the tumors ameliorated the symptoms and pathological diagnosis revealed FSH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Conclusion

As is not the case in iatrogenic OHSS, even a small to moderate amount of FSH stimulation, which is continuously secreted by a pituitary adenoma, can cause ovarian hyperstimulation. Although FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma can cause ovarian hyperstimulation, an extremely high amount of E2 biosynthesis from granulosa cells seldom occurs.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and prophylactic human embryo cryopreservation: analysis of reproductive outcome following thawed embryo transfer

Objective

To review utilisation of elective embryo cryopreservation in the expectant management of patients at risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and report on reproductive outcome following transfer of thawed embryos.

Materials and methods

Medical records were reviewed for patients undergoing IVF from 2000–2008 to identify cases at risk for OHSS where cryopreservation was electively performed on all embryos at the 2 pn stage. Patient age, total number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2 pn embryos cryopreserved, interval between retrieval and thaw/transfer, number (and developmental stage) of embryos transferred (ET), and delivery rate after IVF were recorded for all patients.

Results

From a total of 2892 IVF cycles undertaken during the study period, 51 IVF cases (1.8%) were noted where follicle number exceeded 20 and pelvic fluid collection was present. Elective embryo freeze was performed as OHSS prophylaxis in each instance. Mean (± SD) age of these patients was 32 ± 3.8 yrs. Average number of oocytes retrieved in this group was 23 ± 8.7, which after fertilisation yielded an average of 14 ± 5.7 embryos cryopreserved per patient. Thaw and ET was performed an average of 115 ± 65 d (range 30–377 d) after oocyte retrieval with a mean of 2 ± 0.6 embryos transferred. Grow-out to blastocyst stage was achieved in 88.2% of cases. Delivery/livebirth rate was 33.3% per initiated cycle and 43.6% per transfer. Non-transferred blastocysts remained in cryostorage for 24 of 51 patients (46.1%) after ET, with an average of 3 ± 3 blastocysts refrozen per patient.

Conclusion

OHSS prophylaxis was used in 1.8% of IVF cycles at this institution; no serious OHSS complications were encountered during the study period. Management based on elective 2 pn embryo cryopreservation with subsequent thaw and grow-out to blastocyst stage for transfer did not appear to compromise embryo viability or overall reproductive outcome. For these patients, immediate elective embryo cryopreservation and delay of ET by as little as 30 d allowed for satisfactory conclusion of the IVF sequence, yielding a livebirth-delivery rate (per ET) >40%.

Diagnosis of pituitary gonadotroph adenomas in reproductive-aged women

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical symptoms associated with the diagnosis of pituitary gonadotroph adenoma in premenopausal women.

DESIGN

Report of three separate cases.

SETTING

University medical center.

PATIENT(S)

Three patients: a 31-year-old woman with primary infertility, recurrent adnexal masses, and highly elevated estradiol level; a 30-year-old woman with recurrent multicystic ovaries following multiple cystectomies and transvaginal cyst aspirations, and elevated estradiol level; a 43-year-old woman with bilateral complex cystic adnexal masses and an elevated estradiol level, who underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for a suspected granulosa cell tumor.

INTERVENTION(S)

Transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary mass.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Serum estradiol, FSH, and LH levels; transvaginal ultrasonography of the ovaries; histologic examination of pituitary tumors.

RESULT(S)

Transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas resulted in normalization of serum estradiol and FSH levels and resolution of adnexal masses in two of the women.

CONCLUSION(S)

Pituitary gonadotroph adenoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis in reproductive-aged women presenting with the clinical symptom triad of new onset oligomenorrhea, bilateral cystic adnexal masses, and elevated estradiol and FSH levels with suppressed levels of LH; timely diagnosis may prevent unnecessary and potentially damaging surgical procedures.