Scotomatous defects in the central visual field in pituitary adenomas

In a series of 46 cases of pituitary adenomata (34 solid, 6 with yellow cyst, and 6 with hemorrhagic cyst), we found central scotomatous field defects in 8 patients. Of these 8 scotomatous cases 4 were associated with tumour containing a hemorrhagic cyst. We suggest that rapid expansion of the tumour is one of the principal etiological factors in the production of scotomatous instead of bitemporal field defects in patients with pituitary adenomas.