ABSTRACT

Hong Kong Med J 2001;7:189-92 | Number 2, June 2001
MEDICAL PRACTICE
Endonasal endoscopic removal of growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas
WM Lui, GKK Leung, Y Hui, KK Lee, YW Fan
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
 
 
Trans-sphenoidal removal of pituitary tumours using the endonasal endoscopic technique, a novel application, is herein reported in five consecutive patients with growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas seen at a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. All five patients demonstrated complete tumour removal on postoperative imaging and hormonal assessment following the procedure. Surgical morbidity and symptoms were minimal; postoperative obstructive nasal packing was not required with this technique, which greatly improved patient comfort. Preliminary experience suggests that the endonasal endoscopic approach is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional trans-septal microscopic method for the treatment of pituitary tumour. A randomised controlled trial comparing these two approaches is currently underway at this institution.
 
Key words: Acromegaly; Adenoma/surgery; Endoscopy; Pituitary neoplasms/surgery
 
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