The Timing of Surgery and Salvable Vision in Pituitary Adenoma

Abstract

Two cases of pituitary macroadenomas are the basis for this study. The first, a 70 year old female who had a nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma presented with headache and visual impairment. Surgery was indicated but she declined until two years later when visual acuity got worse.
The second was a 25 year old male who presented with a prolactinoma and diabetes. Visual abnormalities were related only to the left eye. When it was suggested that surgery might be indicated, he never kept the next appointment.
Delay in effecting appropriate surgery timely is known to upset desired results. What is particular in this case is the attendant loss of vision, a very serious disability which could have been prevented. Those prone to fear of surgery should be assisted to understand their situations better and efforts made to encourage them to take the correct decision.


Keywords: Pituitary Adenoma, Immediate Surgery, Timing, Visual Outcome

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 121-124