ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF LESIONS OF THE SELLA TURCICA

The excellent visualization and minimally invasive surgical technique of endoscopic sinus surgery was applied to the management of 40 patien ts with sellar lesions. Endoscopic management of sellar lesions offers , not only the advantage of improved visualization, but also magnifica tion, and a panoramic perspective of the important relationships of th e sella turcica. In the past year, we have managed 40 subjects with se llar lesions, endoscopically: 38 patients had pituitary adenomas and t wo craniopharyngioma. At our hospital, the endoscope has replaced the operating microscope for surgery for pituitary adenomas and other sell ar lesions. The endoscopic approach to the sphenoid sinus and the sell a is performed by an ENT surgeon and the ablative surgery performed by a neurosurgeon. Our experiences, using the endoscope to perform surge ry on sellar and parasellar lesions, are reported and the advantages, over the operating microscope, which is traditionally used are discuss ed. The technique for endoscopic management of sellar lesions is descr ibed.