Neurosurgical approach to treating pituitary adenomas

The transsphenoidal route remains the dominant surgical approach to the management of pituitary adenomas. These tumors may present clinically with signs or symptoms related to hypersecretion, hypopituitarism, or mass effect; or they may be identified incidentally during neuroimaging for management of other disorders. Diagnostic and treatment strategies for pituitary adenomas are reviewed. In addition, we present outcomes data from a large number of patients treated over a 30-year period by a single neurosurgeon. In our experience, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas is associated with low rates of morbidity, mortality, and disease recurrence.