Managing primary pituitary tumours: Assessments and complications

Abstract

Specific treatment for primary pituitary tumours and the diseases they cause will depend on the tumour type, but most patients require surgery which is most commonly performed via a transnasal transsphenoidal approach. Postoperative complications include impairment of visual acuity, visual field defects, diabetes insipidus, epistaxis, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. The nursing assessments and management of each of the complications will be discussed in this article.