title: Sphenoid sinus aspergilloma in trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simultaneous appearance of sphenoid sinus aspergilloma and pituitary adenoma is a very rare finding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of patients with sellar and sphenoid sinus mass lesions who underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery was performed. Demographic data, medical history, predisposing factors, clinical picture, neurological status and radiological findings were reviewed. All patients underwent a trans-sphenoidal microsurgical treatment, and acquired specimens underwent both histopathological and microbiological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sphenoid sinus aspergilloma was encountered in seven patients. Three patients had an isolated sphenoid sinus aspergilloma and four patients with pituitary macroadenoma had a sphenoid aspergilloma as an incidental finding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sphenoid sinus aspergilloma can be found during trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas. Sphenoid sinus extirpation followed by adenomectomy is the treatment of choice unless invasive aspergilloma is encountered requiring additional antifungal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia, neurosajko@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sajko
authors.forename: Živko
authors.initials: Ž
authors.lastname: Gnjidić
authors.forename: Nikolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sesar
authors.forename: Maša
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malenica
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents