[Computer tomography following hypophysectomy]. / Computertomographie nach Hypophysektomie.

ABSTRACT

The authors analyzed the computerized tomograms of 17 patients who had been operated on for tumors in the sellar region. After pituitectomy from a transnasal approach the following was observed bone defects in the area of the posterior ethmoid cells and at the sphenoid sinus (1), partial absence of the sellar floor (4), a shadow on the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses (2), an empty sella (1), damaged tissue in the sellar region (1) and blood in the area operated on (1). After pituitectomy from a transcranial approach, the following was seen trepanation damage frontoparietally on the right (6), trepanation damage frontoparietally on the left (3), brain substance damage below the trepanation (4), and an empty sella (5). The following had occurred as a result of the primary disorder expansion of the sella (twice), a displacement of the middle structures (twice), bone arrosion in the sella area (once) and a tumor picture in the pituitary area (in eight cases). Air may be encountered postoperatively in the various regions within the calvaria. For the first two weeks at least, its existence is not indicative of the presence of a liquor fistula.