Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas in adolescence and evaluate the microsurgical results in short-term(6 months) and long-term(2 years) follow-up.Methods The clinical characteristics of 13 cases with growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas were reviewed retrospectively.Short-time and long-time follow-up were both done by out-patient clinic appointment,telephone and letters.The cure rate and pituitary function were rerded.Results Of the 13 patients,9 were boys and 4 were girls.Macroadenomas were found in 61.5%(8/13) of the cases,and microadenomas were found in 38.5%(5/13) of the cases.Radical tumor resection was performed for 11 patients,growth hormone was normalized in 11 patients.The cure rate was 84.6%(11/13)6 months postoperatively,and 76.9%(10/13)2 years postoperatively.Conclusion Microsurgery was a safe and effective therapy for growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas in adolescence.Postoperative radiotherapy or assisted drugs therapy was often needed.However,radiotherapy should be chosen cautiously to prevent hypopituitarism.

Key words: adolescence, pituitary adenomas, growth hormone