Neuroendocrine & Pituitary Tumor Program

Minimally Invasive Pituitary Surgery with ENT

The UI Health Neuroendocrine & Pituitary Tumor Program combines a skilled, multidisciplinary surgical team of neurosurgeons and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists to offer advanced, minimally invasive treatment options for pituitary tumors and related conditions.

A cornerstone of our surgical approach is endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery, a proven technique for safely accessing and removing tumors through the nasal passage without external incisions.

What Is Endonasal Transsphenoidal Endoscopic Surgery?

UI Health offers cutting-edge endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique performed by expert neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists. This procedure involves using an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a high-performance magnified camera and light inserted through the nose to access and remove tumors. Compared to traditional surgery, the benefits of this approach include:

• No visible incisions/cuts or craniotomy
• Reduced post-surgical pain
• Shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times
• Less risk of complications, including infection and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks
• This approach allows two surgeons (the neurosurgeon and the ENT) to work simultaneously, using both nostrils for access. An opening is made at the back of the sphenoid sinuses (air-filled spaces in the back of the nose) to access the tumor. The tumor is then removed, and the defect is repaired, without the use of any visible incisions.

ENT’s Role in Pituitary Tumor Surgery

Otolaryngologists/ENT specialists play a critical role in providing their surgical expertise from start to finish. If a patient is recommended for Endonasal Transsphenoidal Endoscopic Surgery, below is a brief overview of a typical surgical journey and how their ENT team may be involved:

Pre-Surgery

• Evaluate and treat sinus or nasal issues to prepare for a safe procedure
• Help plan the surgical path to the tumor using advanced imaging

During Surgery

• Navigate the nasal passageway to access the tumor site
• Work with the neurosurgeon to ensure precise tumor exposure and removal
• Ensure nearby nerves, blood vessels, and brain tissue are protected
• Assist with skull base reconstruction after tumor removal using various cutting-edge and minimally invasive techniques, such as a nasoseptal flap (tissue from inside your nose that has its own blood supply), to prevent CSF leaks

Post-Surgery

• Monitor nasal healing and manage any sinus-related recovery needs
• Support patient comfort and prevent complications like infections or nosebleeds

By collaborating and coordinating care with ENT experts directly into your care team, our team ensures safer surgeries, improved outcomes, and a more comfortable, comprehensive, and thorough healing process.

A Collaborative Team Approach

UI Health is one of the few centers in Chicago offering this specialized, team-based approach to pituitary and skull base tumor care.

Together, our team works to offer individualized treatment plans, whether you are managing a non-functioning (does not secrete hormones) pituitary tumor, a functioning (secretes hormones) pituitary tumor, or a rare neuroendocrine tumor, impacting vision, hormones, or quality of life.