Discrepancy between structural and functional visual recovery in patients after trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection

•Patients with pituitary adenoma were evaluated with SAP, RNFL and mfVEP before and after surgery.•SAP and mfVEP improved significantly after surgery.•RNFL remained unchanged after surgery.•Further investigation of the mechanism in the phenomena should be performed.

ObjectiveThe relationship between functional and structural measurements is of fundamental importance in monitoring treatment and progression in patients with pituitary adenoma. In the present study, we examined the association between longitudinal changes in standard automated perimetry (SAP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) amplitude after transsphenoidal surgery.MethodsThirty patients with pituitary adenoma were recruited from Huashan Hospital between September 2010 and January 2014. The examination included pupil examination, anterior and posterior segment examination, SAP, RNFL and mfVEP. At three months and nine months after transsphenoid surgery, follow-up measurements were conducted in twenty-three patients, and at 18 months after surgery, the same examinations were performed in seven patients.ResultsThe average age of patients was 42.6 ± 12.1 years, with 23 males and 7 females. The mean score of SAP improved significantly: 1.75 before surgery; 0.62 at three months after surgery (p = 0.00) and 0.50 at nine months after surgery (p = 0.00). No significant improvement in RNFL thickness was observed at three months or nine months after surgery. The mean score of mfVEP also improved significantly: 0.85 before surgery; 0.53 at three months (p = 0.00) and 0.38 at nine months after surgery (P = 0.00). No statistical difference was observed in the outcome of patients at nine months of follow-up and 18 months of follow-up.ConclusionVisual field and mfVEP recovery with unchanged RNFL thickness was observed in patients after transsphenoid pituitary adenoma resection.