Cabergoline treatment in prolactinoma: Amelioration in obstructive and central sleep apneas

Abstract

A 44-year-old male patient was admitted to the otolaryngology department with a history of progressive snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and reduced libido for the last 6 months. Polysomnography demonstrated the presence of moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 24.6 events/h, consisting of 77 obstructive and 59 central apneas. The marked number of central apneas in the sleep study and urologic complaints prompted the performance of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which indicated a pituitary macroadenoma (prolactinoma). Three months after treatment with cabergoline, a control MRI showed a significant reduction in the size of the macroadenoma. The AHI was also significantly decreased (to 11.6 events/h), as were the numbers of obstructive and central apneas. The patient's complaints regarding libido were also regressed. During this treatment period, CPAP therapy has not been tolerated by the patient. Cabergoline treatment reduced the severity of both obstructive and central sleep apneas in this patient.