The clinical, pathological features and surgical treatment of pituitary gangliocytoma

Abstract

Objective To summarize the clinical pathological characteristics and treatment of pituitary gangliocytoma. Methods The clinical, pathological features and follow-up results of 8 patients with pituitary gangliocytoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results Total resection was achieved in 5 patients and subtotal in 3. This kind of lesion was pathologically characterized by the coexistence of pituitary gangliocytoma and pituitary adenoma. Four cases were diagnosed as pituitary growth hormone(GH) adenoma with gangliocytoma, 2 pituitary plurihormonal adenoma with gangliocytoma, 1 pituitary hormone-negative adenoma with gangliocytoma, and 1 pituitary gangliocytoma. The mean follow-up period was 4.7 years. Of the 3 patients who failed to achieve total resection, 2 underwent gamma knife surgery, 1 was intimately followe-up. The postoperative MRI examinations showed that the tumors disappeared in 7 cases, the remnant tumor of the patient who did not undergo gamma knife surgery remained unchanged. Conclusions The majority of pituitary ganliocytomas coexisted with pituitary adenomas. The endocrine disorders, especially acromegaly, were the most common clinical manifestations. The correct diagnosis of pituitary gangliocytoma should be based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical results. The positive result of GH and growth hormone releasing hormone(GHRH) staining was a key feature of this kind of tumor. Although transsphenoidal microsurgery was the choice of treatment, gamma knife surgery should be considered if the total resection could not be achieved. Pituitary gangliocytoma was a benign tumor with optimistic prognosis. Key words: Pituitary neoplasms; Gangliocytoma; Pathology; Neurosurgical procedures