Experience with Surgical Management of 289 Patients with Giant Pituitary Adenomas at a Single Institution

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The study analyzed 289 patients with giant pituitary adenomas treated at the University Hospital of Erlangen over 40 years.
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Inclusion criteria required a tumor diameter of at least 4 cm, with most patients experiencing visual deterioration preoperatively.
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Surgical approaches included transsphenoidal, transcranial, or a two-staged strategy, depending on tumor characteristics.
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Complications within 30 days post-surgery included meningitis, cranial nerve palsies, and postoperative hypopituitarism.
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The mean tumor diameter was 4.6 cm, with a majority of patients presenting non-functioning adenomas and significant suprasellar extension.

Acta Neurochirurgica (Springer)

by Victoria Antonia Binder, Yining Zhao, Julia Sandra Breu, Moritz Repschläger, Rudolf Fahlbusch, Michael Buchfelder
March 25, 2026

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