A survey of XXXX in Japan.

@entity1 @entity5 @entity700 @entity977 @entity652
OBJECTIVE: The development of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has resulted in the discovery of unsuspected endocrinologically silent pituitary masses ( @entity700 ). The aim of this study was to perform a national survey on @entity700 in order to establish an appropriate approach to them. DESIGN AND METHODS: Five hundred and six @entity1 with @entity700 were obtained by questionnaire from March 1999 to May 2000 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. Two hundred and fifty-eight @entity1 underwent surgery (surgical group), while 248 @entity1 were followed up conservatively for a mean period of 26.9 Months (range 6-173 Months) (non-surgical group). Clinical and biochemical assessment, CT or MRI of the pituitary, and visual field testing by Goldman perimetry were assessed at baseline and 6 Months and Yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Thirty-three @entity1 with @entity700 (13.3%) developed @entity5 enlargement during the mean follow-up period of 45.5 Months. Of 115 estimated non-functioning @entity652 , 23 @entity5 (20.0%) increased during a mean follow-up period of 50.7 Months (range 10-173 Months), while 5 of 94 (5.3%) estimated Rathke's cysts increased in size during follow-up. Pituitary apoplexy occurred in one of 248 @entity1 (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Pituitary incidentalomas usually follow a benign course. We recommend transsphenoidal adenectomy for a solid mass attached to the optic chiasma estimated to be a @entity977 by MRI. Other @entity1 should be followed up by MRI every 6 Months for the first 2 Years, and then Yearly.
