Sellar meningiomas: an endocrinologic perspective.

To review the clinical manifestations and outcomes of those with sellar meningiomas treated surgically at Mayo Clinic between 1975 and 2003. This is a retrospective chart and pathology review of 17 patients with a diagnosis of purely or largely intrasellar meningiomas treated surgically at our institution. Data in regards to presentation, endocrine hormonal status, surgical approach, pathology findings, outcome and adjunctive treatment were abstracted from the medical records. The majority of patients present with visual disturbances. All 17 tumors were WHO grade I. Surgical cure was achieved in 53 % after initial surgery. Postsurgical hypopituitarism occurred with high frequency. A substantial proportion of patients required subsequent surgical intervention or adjunctive treatment with external beam radiation. Sellar meningiomas are technically challenging and carry a high risk for visual disturbance and pituitary hormonal abnormalities. Many patients experience persistent disease requiring further intervention. These patients require long-term follow-up for evaluation of recurrence or development of new pituitary hormonal insufficiencies.