Effectiveness of computer-assisted perimetry in the diagnosis of pituitary adenomas

Computer-assisted perimetry (CP) is a new method which quantifies the differential light sensitivity threshold and allows the statistical analysis of the data. It offers advantages as compared with manual methods. This study has been carried out in 27 patients with pituitary adenomas (four males and 23 females; 13 with prolactinomas; six with acromegaly, four with Cushing's disease and four with non-secreting adenomas). A skull X-ray and a computed tomodensitometry (CT), a manual Goldman perimeter and a computer assisted visual field examination were performed in all cases. The presence of a pituitary tumour was suggested by the X-ray and by the CT in 12 and 23 patients respectively out of the 27: the CT scan revealed a suprasellar extension in seven cases. Visual field defects were detected by means of the Goldman perimeter in six patients and by means of the computer-assisted technique in 25/27. The effectiveness of this new technique was proved by the concordance with the CT scan results in 21 cases and by the histological examination of the four adenomas which were not apparent at CT scan. A significant difference was found for both eyes (right eye, chi squared = 258, P less than 0.001; left eye, chi squared = 295.0, P less than 0.001) between patients and controls. No correlation existed between visual defects and the pituitary size apparent at CT scan. Six patients were evaluated with the CT and CP after 1 year of bromocriptine treatment; a slight reduction of size was documented with the CT in four cases, whereas a significant positive change in visual acuity was observed in five patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)