Kirigin Biloš LS, Kruljac I, Radošević JM, Ćaćić M, Škoro I, Čerina V, Pećina IH, Vrkljan M. Empty Sella in the Making.
World Neurosurg 2019;
128:366-370. [PMID:
31128314 DOI:
10.1016/j.wneu.2019.05.119]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pituitary apoplexy may occur when a large tumor compresses or outgrows its nutrient supply, resulting in ischemic necrosis and hemorrhage. Although once deemed a neurosurgical emergency, increasing evidence suggests that conservative management of pituitary apoplexy leads to favorable neuro-ophthalmologic and endocrinologic outcomes as well. Spontaneous remission after pituitary apoplexy has been described in functioning pituitary adenomas, but it is a rare occurrence in nonfunctioning tumors.
CASE DESCRIPTION
We report a man that presented with pituitary apoplexy of a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma that was managed conservatively and treated hormonally for hypopituitarism during a 2-year follow-up period, with serial neuroimaging demonstrating significant tumor volume reduction with almost complete resolution resulting in partial empty sella. In addition, a short literature review was performed pertaining to the management of pituitary apoplexy with emphasis on a more conservative approach.
CONCLUSIONS
A subset of patients with pituitary apoplexy without altered consciousness and nonprogressive or mild ophthalmologic deficits may be managed conservatively; however, lifelong periodic assessment, preferably by a specialized multidisciplinary pituitary team, is essential until clinical outcomes become clear.
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