CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Removal of pituitary tumours
ENDOSCOPIC EXCISION OF PITUITARY ADENOMA
Our leading neurosurgeons diagnose and remove pituitary tumours using advanced techniques
Surgery to remove a pituitary tumour
This type of surgery is performed through the nose (transsphenoidal) to remove tumours from the pituitary gland and skull base. The surgeon works through the nostrils using a very small camera (endoscope) to remove the tumour with long instruments.
The procedure treats pituitary adenoma - a tumour that develops from the tissue of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland plays a vital role in controlling other glands within the body. These in turn control many of the body's functions.
Need to know
The procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic. The endoscope is inserted through one nostril and a bony opening is made in the nasal septum to give access to the tumour.
Your neurosurgeon passes long instruments through the other nostril to remove the tumour. The access holes are closed and graft is placed in the area to prevent leaking of cerebrospinal fluid into the nasal cavity.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. Because you'll be having general anaesthetic, they'll let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before surgery.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You will awake in intensive care, where you'll be carefully monitored be an expert medical team. It's possible that you'll experience temporary discomfort post surgery, including nausea, sore throat, headaches and dizziness.
A few days after surgery, you will have a brain scan. Your consultant will see if any of the tumour remains. You may need a course of radiotherapy to destroy remaining cells. You may also receive steroid medication to reduce pressure on the brain.
Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
State-of-the-art intraoperative MRI for neurosurgery
As part of HCA Healthcare UK’s continued investment in the latest medical technology, The Wellington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Centre is now equipped with an intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) scanner and fully integrated digital theatre.
The iMRI scanner allows surgeons to carry out an intraoperative MRI scan of their patient’s brain during their surgery. This gives the surgeon confidence that they have achieved their treatment goal. It also provides our patients with the best possible chance of tumours being removed fully without the need for further surgery.
Our Removal of pituitary tumours locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.