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Updated: May 14, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma in nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma
Takashi Sugawara1, Masaru Aoyagi, Youji Tanaka
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. sugawara.nsrg@tmd.ac.jp
Pituitary macroadenomas with hematoma fluid accumulation are challenging to resect completely. Recurrent hemorrhage from granulation tissue causes these tumors, necessitating careful surgical identification of the gland boundary.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Pituitary macroadenomas with significant hematoma fluid present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Complete resection is often difficult, leading to a high rate of recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathology of pituitary macroadenomas composed entirely of hematoma fluid.
- To clarify the mechanism of hematoma fluid accumulation in these specific lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of five patients with pituitary adenoma and intra-tumor hematoma.
- Analysis of clinical status, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, intraoperative observations, and histopathology.
- Review of transsphenoidal resection techniques.
Main Results:
- All tumors were nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas extending to the cavernous sinus.
- Histopathology revealed tumor tissue amidst granulation tissue and pseudocapsule, with evidence of repeat hemorrhage.
- Repeat hemorrhage from granulation tissue was identified as the cause of hematoma accumulation, forming a chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma.
Conclusions:
- Hematoma fluid accumulation in pituitary macroadenomas results from recurrent bleeding from reactive granulation tissues.
- Identifying the boundary between the adenoma and normal pituitary gland before puncturing the hematoma is crucial to minimize recurrence risk.
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