A survey of surgically resected pituitary incidentalomas and a comparison of the clinical features and surgical outcomes of non-functioning pituitary adenomas discovered incidentally <i>versus</i> symptomatically

Pituitary tumors are discovered either incidentally by imaging studies (incidentalomas) or via evaluation of certain clinical symptoms (symptomatic tumors). In this study, we first surveyed patients with incidentalomas who underwent surgery. Cases included 62.3% non-functioning adenomas (NFPAs), 14.5% functioning adenomas, and 13.8% Rathke’s cleft cysts. Next, compared the features surgical outcomes 145 whose preoperative diagnosis was NFPA (incidentalomas [n = 79] vs. symptomatic 66]). The were older (59.9 55.3 years, p < 0.05) had smaller (mean maximum diameter: 23.1 27.5 mm, 0.01). main reason for undergoing headache (n 25) in incidentaloma group visual disturbance 46) tumor group. incidence pituitary hormone deficiencies lower than (growth deficiency: 37.7% 66.7%, 0.01; gonadotropin 19.0% 39.4%, adrenocorticotropic 3.8% 18.2%, thyroid stimulating 6.3% 12.1%, 0.25). Postoperative function better preserved (no 58.2% 28.8%, difference postoperative complications between groups not statistically significant tumors: 21.5% 19.7%, 0.84). conclusion, detected while size deficiency tumors, hormones also after It is important to observe carefully judge whether operate appropriately before they become tumors.