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Updated: May 30, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Immediate and delayed postoperative morbidity in functional and non-functioning pituitary adenomas
Anna Aulinas1, Cristina Colom, Juan Ybarra
1Centro de Atención Especializada, CAP Roger de Flor, Dreta de l'Eixample Barcelona, Roger de Flor 194, 08013, Barcelona, Spain. AAulinasM@gmail.com
Pituitary
|August 12, 2011
Summary
ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas cause more complications after surgery than GH-secreting or non-functioning adenomas. These include immediate issues and delayed problems like joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Neurosurgery is the primary treatment for pituitary tumors, but medical options have limitations due to recurrence.
- Pituitary adenomas are classified as secreting (ACTH, GH) or non-functioning (NF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate postsurgical morbidity in patients with secreting (ACTH, GH) and non-functioning (NF) pituitary adenomas.
- To compare immediate and delayed complications between these adenoma types.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 94 patients operated between 2002 and 2009.
- Comparison of immediate (1 month) and delayed (1 year) complications across NF, GH-secreting, and ACTH-secreting adenoma groups.
Main Results:
- 42% of NF, 37% of GH-secreting, and 48% of ACTH-secreting adenomas had immediate complications.
- Transient diabetes insipidus was most common (23%), followed by CSF leaks (7%).
- ACTH-secreting adenomas showed higher rates of delayed complications, including arthromyalgias and carpal tunnel syndrome (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- ACTH-secreting adenomas, despite often being microadenomas, are linked to increased immediate and delayed postsurgical complications.
- These complications, particularly arthromyalgias and carpal tunnel syndrome, may stem from acute glucocorticoid deprivation post-surgery.
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