Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of pituitary adenomas in adolescence and evaluate the microsurgical efficacy in short-term follow-up(6 months) and long-term follow-up(2 years).Methods The clinical manifestations of 48 adolescents with pituitary adenomas were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into groups according to pathology or the diameter of the tumors. Macroadenomas(dia >10 mm) was in group A, microadenomas(dia ≤10 mm) was in group B. Short-time(6 months) and long-time(2 years) follow-up were done. The cure rate, control rate and non-cure rate of each group were registered.Results Of the 48 patients, 23 had prolactinomas, 9 had somatotrophinomas, 5 had Cushing's disease, 11 had non-functioning adenomas. The cure and control rate in group A was 73.0%, 6 months postoperatively, group B was 90.0 %; The cure and control rate in group A was 64.8% 2 years postoperatively, group B was 81.8%. Microsurgical efficacy of the two groups had significant difference statisticly( P <0.01).Conclusion Microsurgery was a safe and effective and preferential therapy for pituitary adenomas in adolescence. But for macroadenomas, postoperative radiation therapy or assisted drugs therapy was often needed. And radiation therapy should be chosen cautiously to prevent hypopituitarism.

Key words: adolescence, pituitary adenomas, microneurosurgery