title: Transsphenoidal microsurgical selective removal of multiple (triple) adenomas of the pituitary gland.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Messina School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salpietro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alafaci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucerna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomasello
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*