Transsphenoidal microsurgical selective removal of multiple (triple) adenomas of the pituitary gland.
This is the first case of multiple (triple) pituitary micro-adenomas documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a living patient and treated by a transsphenoidal microsurgical approach. The patient, a 37-year-old woman, complained of a long history of bifrontal headache, weight gain and oligomenorrhea. Physical examination revealed moderate hirsutism and a slight fat pad overlying the vertebrae. Routine laboratory studies and endocrinological biochemical investigations were normal. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the pituitary region revealed three intrapituitary micro-adenomas. A transsphenoidal microsurgical approach to the pituitary gland was carried out and micro-adenomas were completely removed one at a time. One year follow-up showed complete resolution of clinical symptoms and signs and normal biochemical parameters of pituitary function.
Salpietro
F M
FM
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Messina School of Medicine, Italy.
Alafaci
C
C
Grasso
G
G
Lucerna
S
S
Passalacqua
M
M
Tomasello
F
F
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*