|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
72 year old male with progressive bilateral decrease in vision
Digital Journal of Ophthalmology 2002
Volume 8, Number 4
May 1, 2002
|
Printer Friendly
|
|
|
Manoj M. Thakker, MD | Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston MA Deborah S. Jacobs, MD | Beth Israel/Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA
|
|
|
| Diagnosis and Discussion | Pituitary adenoma
Pituitary tumors account for approximately 10-15% of all intracranial neoplasms. Prolactin-secreting tumors are the most common, followed by nonsecreting tumors and those that produce growth hormone, ACTH, FSH, LH, and TSH. Tumors less than 10mm in size are referred to as microadenomas and those greater than 10mm are termed macroadenomas.
Symptoms are related to the size and extent of local invasion of the tumor. Uni- or bitemporal hemianopia may occur as a result of chiasmal compression as the tumor extends superiorly FROM the sella turcica. Frontal headaches may also be a prominent clinical feature as the tumor stretches the diaphragma sellae, the dural sheath covering the superior aspect of the sella turcica. Tumors that expand INTO the cavernous sinus may cause ophthalmoplegia, sensory disturbances, and Horner's syndrome as a result of damage to cranial nerves III, IV, V, VI and sympathetic fibers. Secreting tumors typically present to the internist with endocrinologic symptoms and are often diagnosed prior to visual field loss, whereas nonsecreting tumors typically present after visual field loss and thus, are more commonly diagnosed by ophthalmologists.
A small percentage of patients with pituitary adenomas develop partial necrosis or hemorrhage of the tumor, known as pituitary apoplexy. Symptoms of rapid visual loss, ophthalmoplegia, headache, and altered mental status occur over hours as the tumor rapidly expands upward, compressing the chiasm and cavernous sinus while causing increased intracranial pressure. Management of this serious complication includes emergent neuroimaging to rule out expanding aneurysm, high-dose corticosteroids, and possible neurosurgical decompression.
Findings on exam may or may not include optic nerve atrophy (disc edema is not a characteristic finding). An afferent pupillary defect may also be present if there is asymmetric compression of optic nerve axons. Formal visual field testing characteristically shows a uni- or bi-temporal hemianopia. In the initial stages, there is usually a greater loss of the superior aspect of the visual field due to greater compression of the inferior part of the optic chiasm. CT findings include relatively iso- or hyperdense lesions that enhance homogeneously with contrast.
Management of pituitary tumors is dependent upon the size and secretory nature of the tumor. Options include medical management with hormone-suppressing agents, surgery, and irradiation. Up to 80% of prolactin-secreting microadenomas are successfully treated with bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist that inhibits prolactin secretion and serves to reduce the size of the tumor. Macroadenomas or tumors not responsive to medical management are removed surgically, most commonly via the transsphenoidal route, with adjunctive radiation therapy. Complications of surgery and radiation are pituitary insufficiency, optic neuropathy, and seizures.
The visual prognosis after surgical excision is favorable. A series of 59 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery revealed that 90% had improved visual acuity and visual fields, while 63% experienced a full recovery2. Another series showed that improvement is often dramatic in the first week after surgery, but may continue to slowly improve up to 3 years after excision3. Size of the tumor and extent of chiasmal compression are other variables that may affect the visual prognosis in these patients. | |
|
Figure 4a
Figures 4a-4b. Post-operative Humphrey visual fields.
 |
|
|
Figure 4b
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome, please sign in 
