Surgical treatment

There are two variants of access distinguished in surgical treatment of neoplasms of the pituitary gland and tumors of the parasellar region — transcranial and transnasal; sometimes these methods are used in combination. The method of approach to the tumor is determined individually in each case. Each of the methods can be performed using a microscope and/or an endoscope.

• The transcranial method is used in cases where a large part of the pituitary adenoma is located above the Turkish saddle (suprasellar) or with asymmetric growth of the nodes of the intracranial part of the tumor.
• Transnasal surgeries are indicated for tumors located in the Turkish saddle (endosellar), as well as for the spread of neoplasm in the sphenoid sinus (infrasellar).

Objectives of surgical treatment:

• Elimination of the threat to the patient’s life;
• Correction of endocrine and visual disorders;
• Removal of the tumor without expressed clinical manifestations, to prevent further deterioration of the condition;

Possible complications of surgical treatment:

• cerebral ischemic syndrome;
• meningitis;
• hemorrhage in the bed of a removed tumor;
• exacerbation of intercurrent diseases;
• nasal liquorrhea;
• transient visual impairments, hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, etc.