Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(6): 323-327
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820914
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenomas: Endocrinological and Clinical Outcome after Transsphenoidal and Transcranial Surgery

M. Wichers-Rother1 , S. Hoven1 , R. A. Kristof2 , N. Bliesener1 , B. Stoffel-Wagner1
  • 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 16, 2003 First decision: October 8, 2003

Accepted: December 8, 2003

Publication Date:
24 June 2004 (online)

Abstract

Aim: To study improvement of anterior pituitary function after transsphenoidal and transcranial surgery of non-functioning (NF) pituitary macro- and microadenomas.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 155 patients with NF adenomas preoperatively and 3 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. 130 patients harboured a macroadenoma, 109 underwent transsphenoidal (group one), 21 transcranial surgery (group two). 25 patients presented a microadenoma (transsphenoidal surgery, group three). Endocrine studies included basal serum levels and dynamic testing of anterior pituitary partial function. Clinical symptoms and hormone replacement therapy were documented.

Results: Preoperatively, in group one, two and three, somatotropic function was impaired in 85, 90 and 80 %, gonadotropic in 61, 57 and 24 %, corticotropic in 31, 38 and 28 %, thyreotropic in 32, 38 and 12 % and lactotropic in 22, 38 and 32 % cases, respectively. Pituitary functions did not improve significantly after transsphenoidal or transcranial surgery. Presurgically, 63, 62 and 0 % patients complained about visual impairments, 60, 48 and 40 % about headache, 53, 24 and 36 % about fatigue and 28, 33 and 20 % about disturbance of cycle or potency. After transsphenoidal surgery, impaired vision, headache and fatigue improved within 3 months; after transcranial surgery, only headache improved. Preoperatively, pituitary malfunctions were treated adequately. Postsurgically, more patients received adrenal and thyroid hormone substitution, less patients received sex hormones than examinations proved necessary.

Conclusion: Anterior pituitary function of NF adenoma patients did not improve significantly after transsphenoidal or transcranial surgery. After transsphenoidal surgery, most clinical symptoms normalised within 3 months. In some of the patients, substitution was not optimally adjusted to hormonal impairments.

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M. D. Maria Wichers-Rother

Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Institut für Klinische Biochemie

Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25

53105 Bonn

Germany

Phone: + 492282875147

Fax: + 49 22 82 87 57 89

Email: Maria.Wichers@ukb.uni-bonn.de

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