Sellar Remodeling after Surgery for Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma: Intercarotid Distance as a Predictor of Recurrence

Comparative analysis of the effects of microscopic vs. neuroendoscopic transsphenoidal surgery on visual and pituitary function and postoperative recurrence factors in patients with pituitary tumors

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of microscopic and neuroendoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries on visual function, pituitary function, and factors influencing postoperative recurrence in patients with pituitary tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 164 patients with pituitary tumors who underwent surgery at The First People's Hospital of Xianyang from March 2020 to March 2022. Based on the surgical approach, patients were divided into an observation group (n=93) and a control group (n=71). The observation group underwent neuroendoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection, while the control group underwent microscopic transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. General clinical data, perioperative indicators, hormone levels, quality of life, and olfactory function were compared between the two groups. Postoperative recurrence was recorded, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing postoperative recurrence in the patients.

RESULTS

The control group exhibited a greater amount of intraoperative bleeding and a longer postoperative hospital stay compared to the observation group (P<0.0001). The total tumor resection rate was significantly lower in the control group than that in the observation group (P=0.002). Additionally, the numbers of patients in the control group who experienced improvements in vision (P=0.013), headache (P=0.004), and sexual dysfunction (P=0.047) were lower than those in the observation group. One month after surgery, levels of prolactin, human growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were higher in the observation group than those in the control group. The quality of life score one month after surgery was higher in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.0001). In addition, the olfactory function score one month after surgery was lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P<0.0001). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was higher in the control group (P=0.034). There was no statistically significant difference in recurrence rates between the two groups (P=0.102). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified tumor size (P=0.001, OR=7.227), Knosp classification (P=0.005, OR=0.238), and Ki-67 index (P=0.001, OR=4.969) as independent risk factors for recurrence within two years in patients with pituitary tumors.

CONCLUSION

For patients with pituitary tumors, neuroendoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is more effective than microscopic transsphenoidal surgery in reducing operative time and improving postoperative visual and pituitary function, and therefore, should be promoted in clinical practice.

Sellar Mass in 2 Patients With Acute-Onset Headache and Visual Symptoms: Not Your Usual Pituitary Adenoma

Background/Objective

Clinical diagnosis of rare aggressive sellar malignancies requires a high index of suspicion. The objective was to report 2 patients with primary sellar atypical teratoid (AT)/rhabdoid tumor (RT) who presented with acute-onset headache and visual symptoms.

Case Report

Patient 1 was a 45-year-old woman who presented with 3 weeks of headache and 1 week of eye pain and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a 2.2-cm sellar mass. Pituitary hormone testing showed elevated prolactin and suppressed luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol levels. Patient 2 was a 32-year-old woman who presented with 1 month of headache and 1 week of diplopia. MRI showed a 2.1-cm sellar mass. Hormonal test results were reportedly unremarkable. Both patients did not have a significant medical history. They each underwent transsphenoidal resection. Surgical histology and molecular studies were consistent with primary sellar AT/RT. After surgery, patient 1 developed bilateral blindness and was lost to follow-up. Patient 2 developed hypopituitarism; her visual symptoms improved temporarily but recurred 2 weeks later. Pituitary MRI showed sellar recurrence. She underwent further debulking, but the tumor recurred promptly again. Despite radiation therapy, she died 4 months after the original presentation.

Discussion

AT/RT appears to be the most aggressive sellar malignancy.

Conclusion

Based on the 2 cases presented and the literature, I conclude that rapidly progressive headache with subsequent visual impairment in women with large sellar masses is almost pathognomonic of sellar AT/RT.