Transsphenoidal and transcranial surgery for pituitary adenomas

This paper reviews the progress made over the first century of pituitary surgery. The goals of surgery for pituitary tumors are to eliminate tumor mass effect and perform as complete a removal as possible, retain pituitary function, and normalize any hormonal hypersecretion. Since the initial transsphenoidal approach performed in Austria by Schloffer, the transsphenoidal approach has become the preferred surgical approach to most pituitary tumors. The history and development of the transsphenoidal approach to the sella is discussed, as are the contemporary techniques of microscopic and endoscopic pituitary surgery. The continued evolution of the variations and extension of the transsphenoidal approach to other lesions are reviewed. The indications and use of a transcranial approach to remove pituitary tumors are discussed. More recently, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become an important adjuvant management technique in the management of difficult pituitary adenomas, especially with cavernous sinus invasion.