[Endoscopic treatment of 140 pituitary tumors, results and complications].

OBJECTIVE

To present the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 140 patients with pituitary adenomas treated by an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) over a period of 4 years.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed between 2011 and 2014. Pre and post operative MRI, ophtalmological assessment, endocrinological laboratory evaluation and surgical morbidity and mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

57,9% of the patients had functional tumors (n=81), acromegaly being the most frequent sub-type (29.3%). 78.6% of the lesions were macroadenomas (n=110) of which 56.4% (n=62) involved the cavernous sinus, 61 patients presented with visual field defects (44%) of which 50.8% of patients showed improvement after surgery. Gross total removal was achieved in 60% of the cases. Hormonal remission was achieved in the 75% of the patients with functional tumors. The morbidity rate was 15% and one patient died after surgery (mortality 0.7%).

CONCLUSION

EEA is a safe and effective tool to treat pituitary adenomas. The main limitation for complete surgical resection is the cavernous sinus invasion.