Biochemical cure of recurrent acromegaly by resection of cervical spinal canal metastases

Pituitary carcinoma with metastatic endocrine secreting tissue is rare. Eight cases of malignant, growth hormone-secreting tumours, all metastatic within the central nervous system have been previously described. Complete surgical resection was not possible and the patients died within 4 years of presentation with distant spread. Here we describe the first case of an apparent surgical cure of a somatotroph carcinoma metastatic to the cervical spine, documented by biochemical assessment and magnetic resonance and radioligand imaging. The possibility that intrathecal metastasis of somatotroph tumours may be responsible for some cases of treatment resistant acromegaly is discussed.