[Intracavernous extension of hypophyseal macroadenomas: infiltration or invagination?]

Frequency of intracavernous invasion by a pituitary adenoma varies from 9% to 40% depending on the publications. Without putting off the possibility of true intracavernous invasion, it seems less frequent than evocated on CT-Scan and/or MRI data. We studied 153 files of pituitary adenomas operated upon recently: 72 prolactinomas (47.3%), 30 GH-secreting adenomas (19.7%), 7 corticotrop adenomas (4.6%), 44 non secreting adenomas (28.3%). 108 patients (70.4%) harboured a macroadenoma (diameter > 10 mm). A suprasellar expansion was seen 90 times on CT-Scan and/or MRI views. 19 times (17.7% of macroadenomas, 12.5% of the whole series) MRI evocated an infiltration of one or both cavernous sinuses (CS). Such data were found 3 times before 1991, 16 times since 1991, i.e. since MRI is systematically performed preoperatively. Except in two patients who respectively presented with a large intraorbital or temporal expansion, we have not been able to confirm the reality of the intracavernous invasion. We think that most of CT-Scan or MRI data of so-called intracavernous invasion correspond in fact to a compression or to a fingerglove invagination of the medial wall of the CS. In fact, anatomical studies by Harris & Rhoton (1976) and by Taptas (1990) demonstrated that such an invagination of the medial wall exists in almost one third of normal pituitary glands. These data must bring up to much carefulness when considering a possible pathological CS invasion by a macroadenoma. Therefore, it should be thoroughly assessed with anatomoradiological and radio-surgical correlations.