Surgical management of pituitary adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are a diverse group of benign neoplasms. The hormonally active tumours present with well-recognised syndromes and include acromegaly (growth hormone adenoma), Cushing's disease (corticotropin adenoma), and amenorrhea-galactorrhea (prolactin adenoma or prolactinomas). The hormonally inactive, or clinically non-secreting, adenomas generally come to clinical attention secondary to local mass effect or pituitary deficiency. With the exception of the prolactinomas, transsphenoidal surgery remains the first-line therapy for most pituitary adenomas. The current diagnosis and surgical management of pituitary adenomas is discussed.