Pituitary Tumor Procedure
Patients with an operable pituitary tumor are treated through a pituitary tumor resection. This surgery is often transsphenoidal, or done through the sphenoid sinus, which is a hollow space in the skill behind the nasal passages. At My Houston Surgeons, for qualified patients, this surgery is performed endoscopically. This ensures that no visible incision is necessary. If the tumor is located in a difficult space, surgery may require a visible incision through the upper lip or nasal cartilage. Or it may even require a craniotomy. Patient eligibility is determined during a consultation with our sinus surgeons.
Before the surgery, our sinus surgeons will consult with a neurosurgeon. The pituitary gland is intracranial, and a team approach ensures the best outcome. In preparation, the team of surgeons may use CT or MRI scans to learn as much about the tumor as possible. This allows the team to predict the best surgical approach and/or to determine if the tumor has invaded other structures. If the tumor has spread to other tissue, a different surgical approach may be necessary to remove it in its entirety.
During a transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection, a rhinologist passes an endoscope and other surgical instruments through the nose to open the sphenoid sinus. After opening, the surgeon is able to reach the pituitary gland and remove the tumor.