Pituitary tumors in children: clinical analysis of 21 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to review the results of surgery for pituitary adenomas in children less than 18 years old.


METHODS
A retrospective review was done of pituitary adenoma patients with the age of less than 18 years who were treated in the period 1979-2003 at Dr. Shariati Hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-one patients (12 girls and 9 boys) were identified. The age range (mean) in girls and boys was 9-18 (15.8) and 9-17 (14.8) years, respectively. The duration of follow-up was 1-23 (13.4) years. Eight patients (38.1%) had adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting tumors, 33.3% had prolactin-secreting tumors, 19% had growth hormone-secreting tumors, and 9.53% had nonfunctioning adenomas. Multidisciplinary management included surgery and, if necessary, reoperation with/without radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Eleven patients, mostly with prolactinomas, acromegaly, and nonfunctioning adenomas, needed reoperation and radiotherapy. There were two deaths, one of which was because of apoplexy. The biological behavior of pediatric pituitary adenomas seems more aggressive than adults' adenomas. The chance of pituitary apoplexy in pediatric invasive pituitary adenoma is high.
Mehrazin
M
M
Department of Neurological Surgery, Dr Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mehrazin@yahoo.com
D000236:Adenoma; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015175:Prolactinoma; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone