A Comparative Study on Clinical Features, Surgical Outcomes, and Postoperative Complications in Pituitary Apoplexy vs. Non-Apoplexy Patients.

Aim: To explore the differences in clinical features between patients with pituitary apoplexy and those without, analyze the risk factors for pituitary apoplexy, evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications between patients with pituitary apoplexy and those without, and investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications to provide clinical guidance for diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, clinical data of 108 pituitary tumor patients admitted between January 2020 and July 2024 were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: the pituitary apoplexy group (n = 50) and the pituitary non-apoplexy group (n = 58). Baseline data, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for pituitary apoplexy and postoperative complications.

Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tumor size (odds ratio [OR] = 1.064, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010-1.120, p < 0.05) and hypertension (OR = 5.552, 95% CI: 1.660-18.572, p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for pituitary apoplexy. The incidence of postoperative pituitary dysfunction and the average length of hospital stay were higher in the apoplexy group than in the non-apoplexy group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size (OR = 1.142, 95% CI: 1.061-1.229, p < 0.05) and preoperative hypothyroidism (OR = 12.002, 95% CI: 1.129-127.648, p < 0.05) were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in pituitary tumor patients.

Conclusions: The occurrence of pituitary apoplexy is closely related to tumor size and hypertension. Patients with apoplexy face a higher risk of postoperative pituitary dysfunction and experience a longer hospital stay compared to the non-apoplexy patients. Postoperative complications are associated with tumor size and preoperative hypothyroidism.