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Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Role of Radiosurgery for
Sheryl Green1, Eric J Lehrer2, Christopher P Cifarelli3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Background:
Patients with functioning pituitary adenomas (FPA) require a multidisciplinary team-based approach to select best medical, surgical, and radiation treatments, including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of SRS for adult patients with FPA.
Methods:
PubMed and Embase were searched from data base inception to June 8, 2021. Full-text articles were then screened using published exclusion/inclusion criteria. Evidence tables were developing based on data extraction from the full-text reviews, and evidence-based recommendations were finalized.
Results:
Of the total 1842 abstracts pertinent to this topic, 343 full articles met eligibility. Of these, 21 met entry criteria and were included in the evidence tables. The provided Class III evidence supported 2 Level III recommendations: 1. SRS, hypofractionated SRS, fractionated (>5 fractions) radiotherapy, and conventional radiation therapy provide excellent radiographic control with variable hormonal reduction and endocrine remission rates. For SRS and fractionated radiotherapy hormonal reduction may continue for up to 10 years after treatment. 2. Clinicians may continue to administer endocrine suppressive medical treatment before SRS as this may not affect radiographic control.
Conclusion:
This systematic review provides evidence-based recommendations to guide providers caring for adult patients with FPA when making decisions pertinent to radiosurgery. The CNS Guidelines Committee will continue to pursue timely updates to further improve the care of patients with this diagnosis.
