A STUDY OF CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PITUITARY TUMORS

Abstract

The study includes 25 cases of pituitary adenomas. Most common age group by pituitary tumors falls between 41-50 years of age. Male: Female incidence of these tumors is 1: 2.12. Most common clinical symptoms in our series are visual disturbances followed by headache. Optic nerve involvement is other common clinical nding presenting in form of decreased vision or loss of vision, eld defect or fundus changes. Commonest eld defect is bitemporal hemianopia. MRI is the diagnostic investigation of choice in pituitary tumors to dene extent, invasion and relationship to major vessels and nerves. Approximately half (44%) of the patients exhibited normal preoperative pituitary function in form of baseline hormone prole. Increased GH level (32%) followed by hyperprolactinemia (20%) are the most common endocrinologic abnormalities. Total/near total removal was done in 21 patients (84%) and subtotal removal done in 4 patients (16%). Adjuvant therapies were given in 5 patients. Two patients were given radiotherapy and 3 were given pharmacotherapy. Post operative complications were CSF leak, diabetes insipidus and meningitis. 20 patients (80%) had improvement in their symptoms including relief from headache, improvement in vision and endocrinal dysfunction. Post operatively visual functions improved in 13 patients (52%) and it remained stationary in 11 (44%) patients. Only one patient (4%) complained of worsening of his visual function and it was improved in follow up period