Surgery for Pediatric Pituitary Adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are a rare but important central nervous system tumor in children. Because of differences in growth and development, the manifestations of pituitary adenomas in children may differ from those seen in adults. Unlike adult patients, the pediatric population more often presents with clinically secretory adenomas. Although medical management is first-line treatment of prolactinomas, transsphenoidal surgery is appropriate for most children with Cushing disease and gigantism. Although some pediatric patients present surgical challenges because of small anatomic dimensions or an incompletely developed sphenoid sinus, transsphenoidal surgery can be safely and effectively undertaken in most children, with low complication rates.