I remember waking up after the first operation and being in so much pain. I was almost joyful. I almost couldn t believe it. The pituitary gland lies at the base of the brain just behind the nose. Pituitary tumors tend to be slow-growing and benign, but can result in the release of too much or too little of a variety of hormones that control growth, metabolism and reproduction.
Tumors also can press on the optic nerve, interfering with vision.
Surgery to remove pituitary tumors traditionally has required an incision at the top of the upper gum or in the front part of the nose. Surgeons then proceed through the sphenoid bone and the sphenoid sinus just below the pituitary gland. That route accounted for much of the postoperative pain and swelling. But through his studies of anatomy and use of a surgical microscope, Rhoton discovered a more direct approach to the pituitary. For the past two years, he has been attacking tumors by going straight through a nostril and making a small hole at the back of the nose.