Optico-chiasmatic distortions in pituitary adenomas: correlation between postoperative morphological reversal and follow-up functional visual recovery

Abstract

Purpose: To objectively correlate distortions of optic apparatus morphology in patients with visual outcomes in patients with pituitary adenomas undergoing transsphenoidal surgery. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) and total visual (TV) function was objectively scored in patients selected from an institutional cohort of pituitary adenomas. The following imaging measures of optico-chiasmatic morphology were recorded preoperatively, and at 3 months after surgery: chiasm area (CA), mid-chiasm height (CH), optic nerve-canal bending angle (BA), and optic nerve kinking angle (ONKA). Results: Seventy-one eyes were individually studied. VA, VF and TV scores significantly improved after surgery, both at the 3-month and at the 1-year follow-up visits (p<0.001). Craniocaudal tumor dimension was significantly associated with VA, VF and TV scores, both pre- and post-operatively. There were significant changes in CH (p<0.001), BA (p<0.001) and ONKA (p<0.001) at 3 months after surgery, but not in CA (p=0.061). Baseline VA, VF and TVS scores were positively correlated with preoperative CH and ONKA, while VF and TV scores also demonstrated significant negative correlations with preoperative BA. VF scores at 1-year follow-up were significantly correlated with preoperative and change in BA values, as well as with preoperative and change in ONKA values. Chiasm sag was noted in 45.8% of patients at one year follow-up, but was not associated with delayed visual deterioration in any case. Conclusions: Anatomic realignment of the optic apparatus at 3 months following transsphenoidal surgery month predicts VF scores at 1 year follow-up, but not VA or TV scores.