Successful treatment for giant pituitary adenomas through diverse transcranial approaches in a series of 15 consecutive patients

Abstract Object Giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) remain a therapeutic challenge with high mortality and morbidity. We described our experience in a consecutive series of GPAs with extensive suprasellar extension. Methods A series of 15 consecutive patients with maximum dimension of more than 4 cm was enrolled in present study. These cases were microsurgically treated through diverse transcranial approach in our neurosurgical department from January 2006 to January 2011. Four different transcranial microsurgical approaches were selected based on tumor localization and expansion as well as neurosurgeon's experience. Results Gross total removal (GTR) was achieved in 10 of all patients (67%), subtotal removal was achieved in 5 of 15 (33%). Nine patients experienced visual improvement postoperatively compared with those of preoperative symptom (82%), no intraoperative or postoperative death was observed in present series. The most striking features of this study indicate that an experienced team can reach 67% with no mortality, no panhypopituitarism and no permanent diabetes insipidus dealing with GPAs. No recurrent tumor was found in the GPAs with GTR, adjuvant radiation therapy had been performed in 5 patients and the continuous shrinkage of the residual adenomas was achieved in 2 out of 5 with radiotherapy. Conclusions Transcranial approach was still a relatively reliable and safe management for complex GPAs with extensive suprasellar extension.