The changes of preoperative bone mineral density of patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenoma

Objective To evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) alteration of patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenoma in Chinese mainland and further to investigate the relevant factors of BMD changes. Methods 31 patients with nonfunctional adenoma and 255 healthy controls were enrolled in this study between December 2007 and May 2008.

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Clinically Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas

Background: Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are the most frequent pituitary macroadenomas, and represent approximately one-third of all pituitary adenomas. Patients often present with symptoms of mass effects, such as visual field defects, chronic headache, and hypopituitarism. Objective: The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the surgical results of 35 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) operated by the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). Surgical outcomes including postoperative complications, recurrence and the postoperative visual and endocrine profile were assessed. Results: This retrospective study included 35 patients operated for clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) in Al Azhar university hospitals treated by endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) in the last 6 years. 65.7% (n = 23) were male and 34.3% (n = 12) were female. The mean age was 41.5 (range 18 - 65) years. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, with 60% of the patients having headache. Visual disturbances were the presenting symptom in 82.9% patients and endocrinological problems (panhypopituitarism) were present in 6 (17.1%) patients. The number of patients suffering from cranial nerve deficit was 2 (5.7%). Visual acuity and visual field improved in 23 (79.3%) of 29 patients. The rate of tumor recurrence/regrowth was higher in the case of giant adenomas and cavernous sinus invasion represented 11 patients (31.4%). Conclusions: Early endoscopic endonasal approach surgery of NFPAs and effective surgical decompression reduces morbidity. Visual deficit improves in two third of cases. NFPAs represent high rate of recurrence due to invasion or incomplete resection especially with giant adenomas. The recurrence rate with growth total resection (GTR) is lower than subtotal resection (STR).