PURPOSE: Although several reports have addressed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea following dopamine agonist (DA) therapy of macroprolactinomas, further study is warranted for this relatively uncommon entity. Toward this aim, our retrospective series and review of literature further clarifies recommendations in treatment of this rare problem. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all macroprolactinoma cases in our hospital for a 15-year period. Our systematic search of PubMed identified original articles and reviews of all macroprolactinoma cases with an associated medication-induced CSF leak. RESULTS: Five patients with drug-induced CSF leak were identified; four of these patients received cabergoline therapy an average of 6 weeks before the onset of rhinorrhea and then underwent surgical repair of the CSF leak. Of 35 published studies included, we identified 60 patients with medication-induced CSF leak. Medical therapy included bromocriptine in 34 patients, cabergoline in 21 patients, and use of both DAs in two patients. Three cases did include complete diagnostic and treatment data. Median time from initiation of the DA treatment to occurrence of rhinorrhea was 6 weeks. For CSF rhinorrhea, 49 patients underwent surgical repair (38 by the transnasal approach) and seven patients were treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSION: Baseline skull base erosion in macroprolactinomas in combination with subsequent tumor shrinkage induced by DA therapy may result in spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. Therefore, such patients should be advised about and monitored for this potential setback. Once CSF leak is diagnosed, prompt treatment must be carried out to avoid infectious complications. Transnasal surgery appears the most effective therapeutic approach.

• Keywords
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak, Dopamine agonists, Prolactinoma, Rhinorrhea,
• MeSH
• Dopamine Agonists adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Prolactin metabolism   MeSH
• Prolactinoma drug therapy   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea chemically induced   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak chemically induced   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Dopamine Agonists MeSH
• Prolactin MeSH