Ultrasonic bruits in the circle of Willis due to a large nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma

In a man with a histologically verified non-functioning pituitary adenoma with suprasellar extension, Doppler signals resembled those associated with bruits (ultrasonic bruits). These signals were detected in the anterior circulation of Willis both preoperatively and intraoperatively. The large tumor was resected subtotally via a right orbitozygomatic approach. The use of microvascular sonography for intraoperative monitoring can provide information on the potential cerebrovascular complications of surgery. No previous studies on the presence of ultrasonic bruits associated with pituitary adenomas have been reported. The clinical implications for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas are discussed.