Orbital invasion by ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Orbital invasion by pituitary tumors is rare. To the best of the authors' knowledge, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumors with orbital invasion have not been described in MEDLINE indexed literature. The authors report 2 cases of ACTH-secreting tumors with orbital invasion. One patient had a history of endoscopic transsphenoidal subtotal resection of an ACTH-secreting tumor and presented with recurrence in the orbit. The second patient had a long history of visual loss considered to be secondary to glaucoma. Neuroimaging revealed a destructive mass involving the sella turcica with extension in the right orbit. Debulking of the mass was performed via a transsphenoidal approach, and histopathology revealed an ACTH-secreting adenoma. ACTH-secreting adenoma should be considered in the differential of tumors involving the sella turcica with orbital invasion.