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Purpose. To determine if the frequency of the genotype ofMMP-2 (-1306 C/T) Rs243865has an influence on the development of pituitary adenoma (PA).Methods. The study enrolledn=84patients with PA and a random sample of the populationn=318(reference group). The genotyping test ofMMP-2 (-1306 C/T)was carried out using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method.Results. Analysis ofMMP-2 (-1306 C/T)gene polymorphism has not revealed any differences in the genotype (C/C, C/T,andT/T) distribution between the PA patients and the reference group (as follows: 50%, 44%, and 6% versus 59.75%, 33.96%, and 6.29%).MMP-2 (-1306) C/Cgenotype was rarely observed in noninvasive PA compared to healthy controls: 35.1% versus 59.75%;p=0.0049, as well C/C genotype being more frequently detected in nonrecurrence PA compared to healthy controls: 46.5% versus 59.75%;p=0.0468.MMP-2 (-1306) C/Tgenotype was more frequently present in PA females compared to healthy controls females: 49.1% versus 33.66%;p=0.041.Conclusion. Patients with noninvasive and nonrecurrence pituitary adenoma were the carriers of the C/C genotype significantly more frequently than their control counterparts and the C/T genotype in females was more frequent.

Pituitary adenoma (PA) is a common benign monoclonal neoplasm that accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of primary intracranial tumors [1]. Compared with men, women have a two-fold increased risk of developing PA [2]. This condition develops as a non-malignant tumor that grows from the frontal lobe adenohypophysis cells of the hypophysis [2]. It is the most common pathological process in sella turcica, but no scientifically-based environmental risk factors have been identified [2,3,4]. Pituitary tumors can be subdivided into non-secretory (non-functioning) and secretory (functioning) types. Secretory PAs become symptomatic because they secrete hormones. Non-secretory pituitary tumors might grow slowly, compress the optic chiasm, which is directly above the pituitary gland, and cause progressive visual loss [2]. Adenomas are classified according to size into microadenomas (smaller than 1 cm) and macroadenomas (larger than 1 cm). Microadenomas have less of an effect on the visual system or on the function of other glands, whereas macroadenomas can cause visual impairment [5,6,7]. Visual function impairment depends on the PA diameter and its contact with optic pathways. If the PA is small, it cannot reach the optic nerve chiasm, and visual function impairment might not occur [8]. Early diagnosis of PA is essential because long-standing chiasmal compression indicates primary optic atrophy and a poor prognosis for visual recovery following surgical decompression [2]. Detailed visual examination is very important for early PA diagnosis. Various visual functions are tested, including the general health of the visual system, central pathways of vision, and visual system cognitive perception. Studies have shown that visual acuity (VA) assessment using the typical Snellen chart and Landolt rings (Coptotypes) alone is insufficient for visual function testing because it provides limited information about central vision; accurate diagnosis requires both VA determination and contrast sensitivity [9]. The purpose of the present study was to assess visual function (VA, visual field, and color contrast sensitivity) in order to achieve early prediction of chiasma damage in patients with PA. The maximum color contrast sensitivity (MCCS) test is especially useful for follow-up of PA patients after PA surgery. Impairment revealed by the MCCS test could indicate recurrence, which can be confirmed though a brain imaging study.

Purpose Our objective was to estimate the maximum colour contrast sensitivity (MCCS) thresholds in persons with damage of chiasma opticum. Methods Forty one persons with pituitary adenoma (PA) and 100 persons as age and gender matched controls were examined. Patients were divided into groups: according to who had chiasmal compression on imaging and who had not. A new computerized MCSS test program was used for colour discrimination. Results The mean of error score (ES) of MCCS in the group without chiasmal compression was 1.8 [SD, 0.38], in the group with chiasmal compression it was 3.5 [SD, 0.96], and in the control group it was 1.4 [SD, 0.31], (P

Background and Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between visual functions (visual acuity, perimetry, optic nerve disc condition, and color contrast sensitivity) and pituitary adenoma (PA) diameter. Material and Methods. In the study, 20 patients with PA, which was confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, were examined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a PA diameter of ≤1 cm (14 eyes) and with a PA diameter of >1 cm (26 eyes). The control group comprised 40 healthy age- and gender-matched persons (80 eyes). The diameter of PA, visual acuity, and perimetry were analyzed; the F-M 100 hue test for color discrimination was used in patients with PA. Results. Visual acuity was better in the control group as compared with both groups of patients (1.0 vs. 0.90 [SD, 0.50] and 0.64 [SD, 0.21]; P=0.01; respectively). The results of the Farnsworth- Munsell 100 hue test were also better in the control group compared with the patients with PA of ≤1 cm and >1 cm (error score of 80.1 [SD, 53.0] vs. 131.8 [SD, 30.6] and 244.68 [SD, 51. 6], respectively; P=0.011). There was a very strong positive correlation between the error score of the F-M 100 hue test and PA diameter (r=0.905), but the correlation between the error score and visual acuity (r=–0.32), perimetry (r=0.21), and eye fundus changes (r=0.36) and PA diameter was weak. Conclusions. Our results showed that PA can cause the impairments of visual acuity, perimetry, and color contrast sensitivity. The computerized F-M 100 hue test can be one of the methods for an early diagnosis of chiasm damage in patients with PA.

Background. Cerebral cavernous angiomas remain as one of the most negotiable and controversial topics in neurological and neurosurgical practice. We present statistical evaluation of initial presentation, preoperative neurological findings, surgical complications, and outcome of surgically treated patients with intracerebral cavernous angiomas. Methods. During 1997 to 2004, 87 patients (41 men, 46 women) with intracerebral cavernous angiomas underwent surgical treatment in the tertiary referral center, and these were included into the present uncontrolled clinical study. The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 42.4 years, and the mean duration of illness was 120.5 days. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and pre- and postoperative clinical examination. The clinical course was documented using the Karnofski performance scale. A simplified version of Engel’s classification of the outcome of the patients with chronic seizures was applied. Results. The most common clinical presentation of cavernous angiomas was seizures, significant part of which was chronic. No association was found between lesion location by cerebral lobes and clinical presentation by seizures. No significant differences in the likelihood of presenting with hemorrhage between supratentorial and subtentorial lesions were detected. In addition, no associations were found between size of cavernoma and the initial presentation of cavernoma by an extralesional hemorrhage or chronic seizures. In the group of patients presenting with headache, sporadic seizures, or intracerebral hemorrhage, good postoperative outcome was achieved in 83% of the patients. Of the patients who underwent operation for seizure control, significant seizure reduction or elimination after surgery was observed in 79% of the patients. Conclusions. Microsurgical removal of cavernous angiomas and surrounding hemosiderin plate tends to significant reduction or elimination of epileptic seizures and improved postoperative neurological status.