Sinusitis after Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: is Pre-Operative CT Imaging Predictive of Post-Operative Sinonasal Disease?

Objectives/Hypothesis: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (TSAs) to sellar and parasellar tumors are generally well tolerated, however there are potential drawbacks with respect to post-operative sinonasal function. It has been observed that several patients who undergo this procedure ultimately require secondary sinus surgery. The objective of this study was to determine if radiographic anatomy of the paranasal sinuses is predictive of post-operative sinonasal disease in patients undergoing TSAs for sellar and parasellar tumors. Identification of potential risk factors would allow for the identification of a patient population who could benefit from more extensive pre-operative counseling, more frequent post-operative debridement, early initiation of medical therapy, or even endoscopic sinus surgery before/concomitant with pituitary surgery.