Transsphenoidal surgery of parasellar pituitary adenomas

A series of 147 transsphenoidal operations for parasellar pituitary adenomas performed in a 4.5 year period is presented. The clinical and radiological features of the tumours are described and a new practical classification for the neurosurgeon is introduced. The results of surgery are analyzed with special attention to normalization rates in endocrinologically active adenomas and to the recovery rate of optomotoric nerve lesions in 10 of these cases. While in intra- and parasellar microadenomas the surgical normalization rates are comparable to those not extending beyond the confines of the sella, correction of hormonal oversecretion is only exceptionally observed in invasive parasellar macroadenomas. The prognosis for extraocular nerve palsies was found to be favourable, irrespective of the duration of the palsies before surgical intervention. It is to be stressed that even adenomas invading the cavernous sinus can be totally removed via the transsphenoidal approach.