Pituitary apoplexy treated by transsphenoidal surgery

✓ The authors report 13 patients with pituitary apoplexy who were treated at their institution between November, 1972, and September, 1982. The uncommon nature of this syndrome is suggested by the fact that, during this same period of time, 940 patients were treated for pituitary adenoma by transsphenoidal surgery. It is evident that prompt and accurate diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy is necessary to achieve optimal results from treatment. Although large hemorrhages occasionally necessitate craniotomy to decompress the suprasellar structures, usually this condition can be satisfactorily treated by transsphenoidal decompression and, in most cases, this is the procedure of choice.