Abstract
Objective
In this single-center study, we aimed to determine if age at presentation was associated
with vision loss and if this effect could be explained by tumor volume and/or cavernous
sinus invasion.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients surgically treated for a pituitary
adenoma between 2017 and 2023 at an academic tertiary care center. A total of 123
patients were included in this study. Tumor volume was calculated using the traditional
formula: (AP × CC × TR)/2, where AP, CC, and TR refer to the three dimensions of the
tumor in centimeters. Visual loss was taken as a visual field deficit within 1 year
prior to resection.
Results
Our analysis showed that those with vision loss at presentation were, on average,
older than those who did not have vision loss at presentation (57.2 ± 13.7 years [n = 82] vs. 49.9 ± 16.8 years [n = 41]; p = 0.02*). However, using simple linear regression, there was no correlation between age and
tumor volume (r
2 = 0.02; p = 0.18). In addition, a critical age of 42.5 was determined to be when patients with
pituitary adenomas begin to have a significantly increased likelihood of suffering
from vision loss.
Conclusion
Older patients with pituitary tumors were more likely to present with vision loss,
but this was not associated with increased tumor volume or cavernous sinus invasion.
Further research is needed to determine whether age-related thinning and increased
vulnerability of the optic apparatus contribute to this finding.
Keywords
pituitary - tumor - vision loss - skull base - outcomes
