[Extended transsphenoidal approach to giant tumors in sellar and clival area].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of extended transsphenoidal approach, a new approach for removing giant tumors in sellar and clival area.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients, 19 males and 9 females, aged 17 - 67 with a mean age of 47.8, with a mean history of 6.2 years, 13 with invasive giant pituitary adenoma, 10 with chordoma, 2 with giant cell tumor of bone, 2 with pituitary metastatic tumor, and 1 with pituitary endocrinal carcinoma underwent operation by extended transsphenoidal approach. The tumors were 3.0 - 5.5 cm in size. In 2 cases the tumor extended to the base of the frontal lobe, 7 tumors involved the cavernous sinus, and 19 extended to clivus.


RESULTS
The tumor was totally removed in 19 patients, removed subtotally in 6 patients, and removed partially in 3 patients. Postoperative follow-up was performed for 6 months to 4 years. No recurrence occurred except for enlargement of 2 pituitary metastatic tumors and 1 chordoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended transsphenoidal approach satisfactorily reaches and helps remove the giant tumors in sellar and clival area without severe complication.
Wang
Ren-Zhi
RZ
Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
Ren
Zu-Yuan
ZY
Su
Chang-Bao
CB
Yang
Yi
Y
Tao
Wei
W
Ma
Wen-Bin
WB
Yin
Jian
J
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002817:Chordoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007016:Hypophysectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012658:Sella Turcica