Read the full paper at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49968 DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.517142 Author(s) Mario F. Fraioli, Andrea Pagano, Giuseppe Giovinazzo, Pierpaolo Lunardi, Bernardo Fraioli ABSTRACT Background: Pituitary adenomas represent a quite frequent neurosurgical disease. Secreting pituitary adenomas are represented by PRL, GH, ACTH and TSH tumours; the rate of postoperative hormonal recurrence is not ineligible. Methods: We present 106 patients affected by secreting pituitary microadenomas operated through transsphenoidal approach from 1998 through to 2008; in 54 (group 1) patients, intraoperative absolute alcohol was applied, while in the other 52 (group 2) it was not employed. The indications and the intraoperative technique of absolute alcohol application are presented. Hormonal recurrence was treated by hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and/or medical therapy. Results: Postoperative hormonal and clinical remission was achieved in 50 and 47 patients respectively of group one and group two. At the first follow-up control, after 3 months from surgery, no patient of both groups presented hormonal/clinical recurrence. Six months after surgery, no patient of group one presented hormonal recurrence, while two patients of group 2 presented hormonal recurrence. eww140925gjr After 2 years from surgery, two patients of group 1 and 4 patients of group 2 presented hormonal recurrence. Three years after operation, hormonal hypersecretion recurred in three patients of group one and in six patients of group 2. At 5 years follow-up, six patients of group one and 8 of group two presented hormonal recurrence. Conclusions: Intraoperative application of absolute alcohol, in selected cases, resulted useful to achieve better results in secreting pituitary microadenomas concerning both postoperative hormonal recurrence and hormonal persistence. KEYWORDS Pituitary Microadenoma, Absolute Alcohol, Hormonal Recurrence, Transsphenoidal Surgery
