Pituitary tumor craniotomy What are the symptoms of pituitary tumor

An 18-year-old male patient presented with headache and progressive visual loss.

Head MRI: a mass in the sellar region, dumbbell-shaped and huge.

Laboratory examination: abnormal endocrine hormones in the pituitary gland.

Diagnosis: Pituitary tumor

Surgical treatment: Minimally invasive microsurgical craniotomy for pituitary tumor resection. The patient recovered well after the operation and is now in normal condition 4 months after the operation.

Analysis: Pituitary tumors are benign, more common in women and adults, and less common in adolescents. Pituitary tumors grow slowly, and those less than one centimeter are called pituitary microadenomas. Prolactin adenomas are more common, which can cause lactation and amenorrhea in women; adolescent pituitary corticosteroid adenomas can cause obesity, commonly known as "full moon baby face"; growth hormone adenomas in adolescents can cause gigantism, and large stature, and after puberty, they can cause acromegaly, thick fingers and toes, wide jaws, and a hoarse voice.

For microadenomas, conservative measures can be taken for treatment. For prolactin-secreting microadenomas, "bromocriptine" can be taken for treatment. If there is no requirement for fertility, radiotherapy can be used, such as stereotactic radiotherapy, commonly known as gamma knife treatment. As the tumor grows, it can cause compression of the optic nerve, narrowing of the visual field, and poor vision. Surgery can be used to save vision. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, transsphenoidal surgery or craniotomy can be performed. In this case, the tumor was large, and craniotomy for pituitary tumor resection was performed, with good results; imaging review showed that the tumor had disappeared.

This disease has a great impact on adolescents, so we should be vigilant, check and treat it in time.