Experience of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for 803 Pituitary Tumors With Cavernous Sinus Invasion

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness, safety, complications, and prognosis of endoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion (CSI).

The clinical data of 803 pituitary adenomas with CSI surgeries performed in our single ward between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The resection degree, bone invasion, endocrine examination, complications, and outcome were retrospectively summarized.

Gross total resection was achieved in 394 patients (49.1%) subtotal resection in 171 patients (21.3%) and partial resection in 238 patients (29.6%). Clinically variable analyses showed that there was a significant correlation between CSI and female, older age, operation history, and non-gross total resection (NGTR). Among the pituitary adenomas with CSI, there was a significant correlation between bone invasive and NGTR, Knosp classification, recurrence. K-M curves showed that young age, larger tumors, bilateral invasion, Grade 4 of Knosp classification, NGTR, and bone invasion were associated with pituitary adenomas regrowth. Multivariate analysis revealed that bone invasion, NGTR, and Grade 4 of Knosp classification were independent risk factors for pituitary adenomas regrowth. There was a significant correlation between CSI and female, older age, operation history, and tumor resection degree.

There was a significant correlation between CSI and female, older age, operation history, and tumor resection degree. The patients with CSI and bone invasion were likely to recurrent. Non-gross total resection, bone invasion, and Grade 4 of Knosp classification were independent risk factors for pituitary adenomas regrowth. Endoscopic endonasal surgery is an excellent choice for pituitary adenomas with CSI.