Preoperative and postoperative features of non-functioning pituitary adenomas: a single center experience

Abstract

Objectives: The main purposes of surgical treatment for non-functioning pituitary adenomas are removal ofthe pressure on the surrounding structures, especially the hypophyseal gland and visual tissue, and thenormalization of hypophyseal functions. In our study, we retrospectively reviewed postsurgical follow-up ofpatients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma treated at our institution in a period of 15 years of monitoringand evaluated surgical success, complication rate and recurrence rates in accordance with the literature.Methods: This study included 55 patients who had undergone surgery between 2000 and 2014 and who werefollowed-up postoperatively at our center. Preoperative and postoperative anterior pituitary hormones, completeresection and recurrence and also postoperative recovery of endocrinological and ophthalmological functionswere statistically evaluated using file data of the patients.Results: There were 33 (60%) males and 22 (40%) females. It was observed that the adenoma caused pressureon the optic chiasm in 11 patients and infiltrated cavernous sinus in 9 patients. Postoperative mean follow-upwas 75.14 ± 43.01 months. Seventeen (30.9%) patients had recurrence after complete resection. Postoperativepersistence and deterioration rates were 12.2% and 26.6% in adrenal insufficiency, 12.2% and 26.6% in centralhypothyroidism, respectively, while 12.2% worsening in central hypogonadism. Ophthalmologic findings wereresolved in 62.5% of patients and persisted in 37.5% of the patients.Conclusions: The adenoma size and experience of the surgeon in non-functioning pituitary adenomas are themost important factors affecting surgical success. We recommend that operations should be performed inexperienced centers, preoperative and postoperative endocrinological evaluations and long-term follow-upshould be done.