Summary
The lack of a standard quantitative method of assessing the degree of visual deficit hinders comparison of the results of the different methods available for treating visual failure due to a pituitary tumour.
This report describes a simple, semi-quantitative, and precise approach, and illustrates its use in 34 patients treated by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and radiotherapy. Visual improvement occurred in 85%, and no patient sustained deterioration of vision. Visual loss before operation was scored at a mean of 51.4%, and was reduced to a mean of 27.4% after a minimum of 12 months follow-up. The factor that had the greatest influence on visual recovery was the degree of visual loss at presentation. It is therefore essential to be able to compare this variable before attempting to assess if outcome is different in patients treated by different methods.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dawson, B. H., The blood vessels of the human optic chiasma and their relation to those of the hypophysis and hypothalamus. Brain81 (1958), 207–217.
Entzian, W., Melo, A., Transnasal-transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenoma extirpation. Effects on visual function. In: Treatment of pituitary adenomas; 1st European workshop (Fahlbusch, R., Werder, K. V., eds.). Stuttgart: Thieme. 1978.
Fahlbusch, R., Optic nerve compression by pituitary adenomas. In: Cranial nerves (Proc. Symp. on Cranial Nerves, June 1980) (Samii, M., Janetta, P., eds.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer. 1981.
Guiot, G., Considerations on the treatment of pituitary adenomas. In: Treatment of pituitary adenomas: 1st European workshop (Fahlbusch, R., Werder, K. V., eds.). Stuttgart: Thieme. 1978.
Hollenhorst, R. W., Younge, B. R., Ocular manifestations produced by adenomas of the pituitary gland: Analysis of 1,000 cases. In: Diagnosis and treatment of pituitary tumours (Kohler, P. O., Ross, G. T., eds.). Excerpta Medica: Amsterdam. 1973.
Jefferson, A., The treatment of chromophobe pituitary adenomas by means of transfrontal surgery, radiation therapy and supportive hormone therapy. In: Treatment of pituitary adenomas: 1st European workshop (Fahlbusch, R., Werder, K. V., eds.). Stuttgart: Thieme. 1978.
Laws, E. R., Transsphenoidal decompression of the optic nerve and chiasm: Visual results in 62 patients. J. Neurosurg.46 (1977), 717–722.
Nakane, T., Kuwayama, A.,et al., Transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. Surg. Neurol.16 (1981), 225–229.
Sanchis, J., Bordes, M., Immediate visual deterioration after attempts at radical excision of pituitary adenomas. Acta neurochir. (Wien)38 (1977), 251–258.
Symou, L., Jakubowski, J., Transcranial management of pituitary tumour with suprasellar extension. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.42 (1979), 123–133.
Teasdale, G. M., Hay, I. D.,et al., Cryosurgery or microsurgery in the management of acromegaly. J.A.M.A.247 (1982), 1289–1291.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Findlay, G., McFadzean, R.M. & Teasdale, G. Recovery of vision following treatment of pituitary tumours; application of a new system of assessment to patients treated by transsphenoidal operation. Acta neurochir 68, 175–186 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401176
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01401176