J Korean Endocr Soc.  2009 Sep;24(3):181-188. 10.3803/jkes.2009.24.3.181.

Pituitary Hormonal Changes after Transsphenoidal Tumor Removal in Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma

• Lee MS
• Han SJ
• Kim EK
• Hwang JA
• Chung YS
• Kim SH
• Cho KG
• Rim NJ
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2178180
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/jkes.2009.24.3.181

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The present study investigated the rates and the potential predictors of either new pituitary loss or recovery of hormonal function after transsphenoidal removal of a non-functioning pituitary adenoma.
METHODS
Patients who underwent transsphenoidal removal of a non-functioning pituitary adenoma from January 2003 to December 2007 at Ajou University Medical Center were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were excluded if they had a history of previous pituitary tumor surgery, or did not have preoperative pituitary hormonal data.
RESULTS
Of 42 patients included in the analysis, 36 patients had hypopituitarism, 21 patients had "stalk compression" hyperprolactinemia, and 2 patients had normal pituitary function. At long term follow-up (longer than 6 months), 13 patients showed postoperative pituitary hormonal recovery in at least 1 hormonal axis, while 6 patients had developed postoperative hormonal loss in at least 1 hormonal axis. On analysis, neither preoperative serum prolactin level nor tumor size was related to postoperative pituitary hormonal changes.
CONCLUSION
More than 1/3 of patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery showed postoperative pituitary hormonal recovery.

Keyword

non-functioning pituitary adenoma; pituitary hormone; pituitary surgery; postoperative outcome

MeSH Terms

Academic Medical Centers
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperprolactinemia
Hypopituitarism
Pituitary Neoplasms
Prolactin
Retrospective Studies
Prolactin

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