Retrospective Multicentric Study of Pituitary Incidentalomas

Pituitary incidentalomas: a single-centre experience

“…However, the number of these patients in our study was small (10 patients, nine macroadenomas and one microadenoma, most of them with follow‐up times of 8–20 years) and, thus, we do not consider this factor to have changed dramatically our results. In our series, PIs appeared more frequently in men, although this was not confirmed by others (11–13). In addition, men were more likely to harbour a macroadenoma than a microadenoma in comparison with women, in accordance with previous reports (11,13).…”

“…In our series, PIs appeared more frequently in men, although this was not confirmed by others (11–13). In addition, men were more likely to harbour a macroadenoma than a microadenoma in comparison with women, in accordance with previous reports (11,13).…”

“…We concluded that non‐functioning macroadenomas constitute the “lion’s share”, manifesting usually with extrasellar extension. These findings are in accordance with other studies (10–13), although in one study majority were microadenomas (11). Before the year 1995, most imaging examinations of the brain were performed by CT. Interestingly, some studies (9,10) have reported data about PIs with CT scan alone.…”

“…Hormonal deficiencies at initial presentation were not negligible, with GH and gonadotropin deficiencies being the most frequent. Partial or panhypopituitarism has also been reported in various series (10,11,13). It is clear that routine hormonal screening is necessary to reveal hypopituitarism.…”

“…It is clear that routine hormonal screening is necessary to reveal hypopituitarism. Assessment of both baseline anterior pituitary hormones and their target hormones is strongly recommended, along with stimulation tests when necessary (1,2,10–13). All patients in our study presenting with hypopituitarism were carrying macroadenomas.…”