Endoscopic transsphenoidal approach for resection of malignant pituitary blastoma in an 18-month-old infant: a technical note.

BACKGROUND: Sella and suprasellar tumors are increasingly managed via an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach, but infant endoscopic surgery has not been reported. Pituitary blastoma is a rare sellar malignant tumor that primarily occurs in infants and is managed by surgical resection (cytoreduction) followed by adjuvant therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique and feasibility of resection of a pituitary blastoma via endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach in an 18-month-old infant.

METHODS: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for resection of a pituitary malignant tumor in an infant.

RESULTS: Near-total tumor resection was achieved. The skull base was reconstructed by using a nasoseptal flap with no cerebrospinal fluid leak or any other intraoperative complications. The postoperative course was uneventful. One-year follow-up showed complete resolution of the tumor.

CONCLUSION: The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach with nasoseptal flap reconstruction could be used as a safe, yet minimally invasive and innovative technique for the resection of pituitary blastoma in infants.