Short summary

Pituitary adenomas are generally benign. They grow intracranial and account for 10-15% of all intracranial tumours. 25-55% of the adenomas show invasive growth and clinically aggressive behaviour.

Transsphenoidal surgery is the preferred procedure when medical treatment has no effect, and the tumour causes signs of compression or physiological changes.

This study aims to show any differences, in surgical complications and endocrine dysfunctions, between two cohorts of patients operated for pituitary macroadenomas with and without the use of intraoperative low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  

Rationale

Investigate if transfenoidal surgery for pituitary macroadenomas leads to 1) better surgical resection and 2) higher risk of postoperative pituitary dysfunction.

Description of the cohort

The patients included in this retrospective study are identified by the ICD-10 code DD352 and the ICD-10 procedure code AAE10 (transsphenoidal excision of pathological tissue).

The intraoperative low field MRI was introduced in the department in 2011. The two in other respects comparable cohorts therefor consists of patients operated without low field MRI from 2007-2011 and patients operated with the use of low field MRI from 2011-2015.

Data and biological material

The data collected for this study, is based on the description and information found in the individual patient's medical history.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Neurosurgery, Odense University Hospital

• Professor Frantz Rom Poulsen, PhD

Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital

• Clinical professor Marianne Andersen