SILENT PITUITARY TUMOR TRIGGERS STROKE IN YOUNG PATIENT

Dr. Le Kham Tuan, PhD – Head of the Neurosurgery & Spine Department at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital – recently performed emergency surgery for a young patient who suffered pituitary apoplexy due to a tumor compressing the gland. The tumor was successfully removed using the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach — a minimally invasive technique that helps minimize surgical risks and complications for the patient.

At 4 a.m. on a weekend morning, Mr. L. (born in 1997) suddenly developed intense headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision in his left eye. As his condition rapidly worsened, his family rushed him to Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital — over 150 kilometers away from their home in Dong Thap Province. By the time he arrived, the patient had already shown signs of declining consciousness and progressive vision loss in both eyes.

Recognizing symptoms of a possible stroke requiring urgent intervention, the medical team immediately ordered blood tests, CT and MRI scans to determine the cause. Imaging results revealed a space-occupying lesion within and above the sella turcica, highly suggestive of a hemorrhagic pituitary tumor due to infarction.

The Neurosurgery & Spine team promptly performed an emergency endoscopic transsphenoidal resection to remove the tumor and save the patient’s life.

Explaining the procedure, Dr. Le Kham Tuan, PhD stated: “The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach allows surgeons to access the tumor without external incisions or craniotomy. There is no visible scar on the scalp, and this technique minimizes damage to healthy brain tissue, blood vessels, and cranial nerves. As a result, it significantly reduces surgical risks and shortens the patient’s recovery time compared to traditional open surgery”.

One week after surgery, the patient was discharged in stable condition, with significant improvement in headaches and vision in both eyes. He was advised to monitor his health closely and return for follow-up after 7 days.

“Pituitary tumors are typically benign and slow-growing, often presenting no clinical symptoms until they reach a size that compresses surrounding brain structures. At our hospital, we have treated many cases of pituitary tumors causing infertility, headaches, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and even pituitary strokes — as seen in Mr. L.’s case. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications or even death,” Dr. Tuan emphasized.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.