Transcranial approach as surgical treatment for giant pituitary adenoma during COVID 19 pandemic – What can we learn?: A case report

INTRODUCTION: In the COVID 19 pandemic, pituitary surgery is one of challenging surgical treatment, especially the involving transsphenoid approach. It was reported that the aerosolisation and mucosal involvement increase the risk of viral transmission during operation. Therefore, transcranial is a safer surgical approach during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to reported transcranial approach to treat giant pituitary adenoma with aggressive visual disturbance which require urgent surgical management. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a 21-year old male, who required urgent surgery because of progressive visual disturbance due to giant pituitary adenoma. On brain MRI with contrast, it was revealed an extraaxial tumor extending anteriorly over plannum sphenoidal with the greatest diameter was 5.34 cm. Transcranial approach was chosen to resect the tumor. Near total removal of the tumor was achieved without damaging vital neurovascular structure. The visual acuity was improved and no significant postoperative complication. Pathology examination revealed pituitary adenoma. CONCLUSION: Transcranial surgery for pituitary adenoma is still an armamentarium in neurosurgical practice, especially in the COVID 19 pandemic to provide safer surgical approach.