The optimal surgical techniques for pituitary tumors

Publication date: Available online 27 July 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & MetabolismAuthor(s): M. Buchfelder, S.M. Schlaffer, Y. ZhaoAbstractIn this paper, the currently used and well evaluated techniques for the surgery of pituitary tumors will be reviewed. Since the first surgical approaches to pituitary tumors more than 100 years have elapsed. Various surgical techniques have been developed, refined and standardized. Most of these tumors are to date treated via transsphenoidal approaches. Many pituitary adenomas, particularly, smaller, enclosed ones, can be completely excised and a selective adenomectomy is usually attempted. It leads to remission of hormonal oversecretion and also to recovery of pituitary function in many patients. The resection of pseudocapsule around the adenoma seems to improve the operative results further. Transcranial approaches, employing craniotomies, are still needed in some patients with pituitary adenomas and in many of those harbouring craniopharyngiomas. The operative techniques will be described and briefly commented. Moreover, the application and usefulness of several technical developments will be reviewed, such as the use of the endoscope, magnetic resonance imaging and neuronavigation. The use of the intraoperative Doppler probe, ultrasound and the value of intraoperative hormonal measurements will be briefly discussed. There is sufficient evidence that the best and optimal outcome in terms of tumor resecti...
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research