Pituitary adenomas: computed tomography and clinical evaluation in a follow-up after surgical treatment.

A study of the recurrence rate in 41 patients operated and postoperatively treated with irradiation for a pituitary adenoma was performed 10-15 years after operation. 15 of the 41 patients are now deceased among whom 1 had a known recurrence. 25 out of the now 26 living patients were investigated with a clinical examination, perimetry, computed tomography (CT), roentgen examination of the sella turcica and an endocrine evaluation. The outstanding capability of the CT to visualize pituitary adenoma recurrences was clearly demonstrated as this technique revealed recurrences in 6 patients, only 2 of which had progressive visual field defects and none progressive changes on plain sellar films.