Preoperative MRI Evaluation of Pituitary Macroadenoma: Imaging Features Predictive of Successful Transsphenoidal Surgery

Abstract

Macrocystic and macrohemorrhagic adenomas and solid tumors with enhanced diffusivity are more likely to be successfully managed with transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy of solid, enhancing tumors with restricted diffusion is more likely to fail, possibly because of the greater reticulin content of the tumor; initial transcranial surgery may be appropriate in these cases.