Pituitary adenomas in children: surgical course and functional outcome. Lille cohort retrospective study

Context: Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors are rare in children, but challenging, implying the two purposes to cure the child, and preserve pituitary function. In this paper, we describe our population of children who underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of a pituitary adenoma, in Lille University Hospital.

Patients and methods: Between 2007 and 2021, all children undergoing EEN surgery for pituitary adenoma were included. Age at surgery, surgical course, type of adenoma, knosp grade and extent of resection were collected.

Results: 26 patients were included. 88% were female. All adenomas were functioning. 15 patients had prolactine-secreting adenomas (58%), 9 patients had ACTH-secreting adenomas (35%) and 2 patients had GH-secreting adenomas (8%). Visual disturbance was present at diagnosis in 5 patients. Among them, visual function was improved after surgery in 4 patients and stable in one. Surgical course was always easy. 66% of prolactinomas, all Cushing disease were in remission after surgery. The two patients with acromegaly had to undergo complementary treatment. Follow up was maintained at least 5 years.

Discussion: Surgical treatment remain mainstay in pituitary adenomas. In the pediatric population, surgery can be performed safely and efficiently via en EEN approach.