Abstract:

Pituitary adenomas are within the most frequent intracranial tumors after gliomas and meningiomas. These tumors that often are benign can be nonfunctioning or functioning. In the latter will manifest as specific clinical endocrine syndromes depending on the produced hormone. Other may associate a mass effect with secondary neurologic alterations. These adenomas are characterized by the presence of a histologic pseudocapsule made of reticulin and serves as an anatomic limit between the normal pituitary gland and the tumor. It’s more frequently found in prolactin secreting adenomas and conserves its integrity more in microadenomas because as the tumor grows is more likely to be discontinued. The pseudocapsule is of great importance especially in the surgical manage of the tumor since its recognition during the surgical procedure in extracapsular resections has proven to result in better patient outcome, seen on lower incomplete resection rates and recurrence, as well as managing to preserve pituitary function.

Key words:  Pituitary neoplasms; surgical procedures; neurosurgery; Source; CeCS; BIREME.