title: Evidence of improved surgical outcome following endoscopy for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma removal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because of their size and lateral extension, total removal of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) remains a challenge and postoperative tumor remnants are frequent. Endoscopy has improved the surgeon's view; however, its superiority in terms of surgical outcome remains undetermined. The authors' aim in this study was to compare the clinical results and morbidity between microscopic and endoscopic techniques in 164 patients with NFPAs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumoral (3D MR imaging), endocrinological, and ophthalmological results and morbidity were compared between 2 groups of 82 patients with newly diagnosed NFPAs surgically treated via either a sublabial microscopic approach (Group B) or a fully endonasal endoscopic technique (Group A).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups showed no difference in terms of clinical features, tumor size, or cavernous sinus invasion (p > 0.05). One year postoperatively, the quality of resection was significantly improved in Group A (gross-total removal [GTR]: 74% vs 50% in Group B, p = 0.002) with greater control of lateral extension (Knosp Grade 2: GTR 88.2% vs 47.8% in Group B, p = 0.02; Knosp Grade 3: 67.9% vs 16.7% in Group B, p < 0.001) and suprasellar extension (tumor height 20-30 mm: GTR 76% vs 53% in Group B, p = 0.01). Endocrinological outcome in patients with a partial deficiency in anterior pituitary function preoperatively was significantly better in Group A (improvement 56% vs 25% in Group B, stabilization 22% vs 46%, and aggravation 22% vs 29%; p = 0.01). Among the ophthalmologically symptomatic patients, 100% from Group A improved compared with 93% in Group B (p = 0.35). Lastly, no significant difference was found regarding morbidity. These data were supported by the literature in which the GTR rate is consistently higher for endoscopy compared with microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this large series of patients with NFPAs, endoscopy improved the quality of resection and endocrinological outcome. Larger studies focusing on the impact of these promising results on the long-term recurrence of NFPAs are warranted.
authors: Département de Neurochirurgie A, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.
authors: Mahmoud
authors: M
authors: Messerer
authors: Juan Carlos
authors: JC
authors: De Battista
authors: Gérald
authors: G
authors: Raverot
authors: Sebouh
authors: S
authors: Kassis
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Dubourg
authors: Veronique
authors: V
authors: Lapras
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Trouillas
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Perrin
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Jouanneau
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010907:Pituitary Hormones