Rhinologic outcomes of concurrent operation for pituitary adenoma and chronic rhinosinusitis: an early experience

The transsphenoidal approach (TSA) is the procedure of choice for the vast majority of pituitary neoplasms. Sinusitis is considered a contraindication to TSA because of possible transcranial spread of infection. This study was performed to determine if TSA for pituitary tumors could be extended to patients with pituitary adenoma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Medical records, including rhinologic outcomes, were retrospectively assessed in 11 consecutive patients who underwent concurrent TSA and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) because of pituitary adenoma and CRS between May 2004 and October 2007.

The 11 patients consisted of 5 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 55 years (range, 31-69 years) and average follow-up of 24.4 months (range, 6-44 months). Preoperatively, all patients had symptoms of CRS, but none had acute exacerbation of rhinosinusitis. All patients had CRS and two had nasal polyps. TSA was via the transcolumellar transseptal approach in seven patients and the transnasal approach in four patients. No postoperative complications due to ESS were observed. Two patients, including one with sphenoid aspergillosis, had preoperative unilateral sphenoid sinusitis, which was managed by ESS on the involved side, with TSA performed concurrently through the contralateral healthy sphenoid sinus. There was one case of postoperative sphenoid sinusitis and one case of septal perforation due to TSA. There were no postoperative intracranial complications, including meningitis and brain abscess.

Concurrent TSA and ESS can be performed in selected patients with CRS and pituitary adenoma. Future studies should involve more patients and longer follow-ups.