A 63-year-old woman was on the brink of despair due to a persistent nasal blockage that had plagued her for over a year. Unbeknownst to her, the culprit was a massive, rare tumour growing in her pituitary gland, called Pituitary Gland Macroadenoma.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 1 in 10 people will develop a Pituitary Adenoma once in their lifetime. To understand her case and miraculous recovery, the Onlymyhealth team spoke to Dr Ashwin Borkar, Consultant, Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road and Dr Chandraveer Singh, Consultant, Otorhinolaryngologist and Head & Neck OncoSurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.
The Challenge Of Pituitary Adenoma
Saleeba, from Virar couldn’t perform her daily routine with ease due to constant nasal obstruction and suffered in silence for 15 months. She consulted various doctors who failed to provide her relief.
Not treating her at the right time could have led to complications like meningitis of the brain, nasal bleeding, and loss of vision, according to what the University of Virginia states.
Her health deteriorated further and she approached doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road for prompt intervention.
Explaining Saleeba’s medical history, Dr Singh listed her symptoms:
- Persistent nasal obstruction
- Episodes of giddiness
- Loss of appetite
- Occasional headaches without any past medical history
Diagnosing Pituitary Adenoma
“The patient was diagnosed with Pituitary Adenoma (a benign or noncancerous growth on the pituitary gland) with an unknown cause,” Dr Singh added.
Talking about Saleeba’s eventual diagnosis, he shared:
- Initial examination revealed the presence of a big mass in the Nasopharynx.
- Her nasal endoscopy, CT scans and Paranasal sinus computed tomography tests revealed a large pituitary tumour measuring 7.3 x 4 x4.9 cm, extending from the brain to the frontal bone and encroaching upon the Nasopharynx.
He shared that Macroadenomas, which are larger adenomas measuring about 1 centimetre or more, were spotted in Saleeba’s case. “This tumour is rare and is seen in 5 per 1 lakh population. Witnessing such a large tumour was unusual, indicating the need for a delicate surgery as the tumour was also interfering with the patient’s ability to do the daily chores with ease,” he said.
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The Road To Recovery
To treat the large tumours on Saleeba’s pituitary gland, an intricate endoscopic tumour excision surgery was performed through the nose.
Dr Borkar explained, “This minimally invasive procedure is carried out with the help of tiny instruments and an endoscope camera. The surgeon makes a small incision at the back of the nasal cavity for precise, safe, and accurate tumour removal without any scarring on the head.”
The benefits of this surgery is that it is efficacious, involves minimal risk of blood loss and infection, no post-operative pain or discomfort, and promotes faster recovery and healing without any harm to the nasal tissues.
“The uneventful surgery lasted for 3 hours. The patient was discharged after the 5th day of surgery,” said Dr Borkar.
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A New Lease On Life
Through a successful surgery, the tumor was completely removed, while resolving all the symptoms experienced by the Saleeba. “The patient's condition has improved post-surgery, followed by a smooth recovery.”
Saleeba expressed her gratitude, “I have got a fresh lease of life now and all the symptoms have vanished. I can now do my daily activities without trouble.” Dr Borkar concluded that this exemplary case will surely give hope to other patients struggling with such rare and life-threatening tumours who need immediate medical attention.