SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF GIANT PITUITARY-TUMORS - A REVIEW OF 30 CASES

An experience with surgical management of 30 giant pituitary tumours i s analysed in this report. The clinical features, anatomical spread an d relationship of these tumours with the cavernous sinus and other par asellar and basal forebrain structures is analysed. The problem encoun tered in the surgical treatment are reviewed. An unusual feature in th e management was an intra-operative and postoperative tumour swelling and acute elevation of the intracranial pressure in 5 patients. Despit e the technical problems encountered during surgery and in the post-op erative period it was observed that a significant resection and adequa te decompression of the visual apparatus offered a reasonable opportun ity for recovery in vision and a satisfactory outcome. Complete resect ion of the tumour was nor possible in this series. A contralateral sub frontal route was seen to be most suitable for resection of the part o f the tumour that invaded the cavernous sinus.