ABSTRACT
Introduction 528
Anatomy of the pituitary gland 528
Physiology of the pituitary gland 529
Classification of pituitary tumours 530
Tumour size 530
Histology 530
Other lesions arising in and adjacent to the pituitary 531
Epidemiology and incidence 531
Clinical presentation of pituitary lesions 531
Investigations 531
Non-functioning adenoma 532
Functioning adenomas 533
Hypophysectomy 536
Patient information and consent 536
Preoperative investigations 537
Surgical approaches 537
Postoperative management 539
Discharge from hospital 540
Complications of surgery 540
Surgical outcomes 541
Role of radiotherapy in pituitary adenomas 541
The future for the surgical management of pituitary
tumours 542
Key evidence 542
Key learning points 542
References 542
Here in this well-concealed spot, almost to be covered by a thumb nail, lies the very mainspring of primitive existence – vegetative, emotional, reproductive – on which, with more or less success, man has come to superimpose a cortex of inhibitions.
