Inferior temporal quadrantanopia associated with pituitary adenomas and a potential mechanism of excessive optic nerve bending.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas show typical visual field defects that begin superiorly and progress inferiorly. The cause of atypical visual field defects that start inferiorly remains unclear. This study aimed to understand this phenomenon using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS: A total of 220 patients with pituitary adenomas underwent a visual field assessment of both eyes. Preoperative visual fields were assessed and classified into two types: superior quadrantanopia (typical) and inferior quadrantanopia (atypical). Several parameters related to tumor characteristics and optic nerve compression were evaluated using MRI.

RESULTS: Of the 440 eyes examined, 174 (39.5%) had visual field defects. Of these, 28 (16.1%) had typical and 11 (6.3%) had atypical visual field defects. Patient age, tumor size, degree of cavernous sinus invasion, tumor pathology, and intratumor bleeding were similar between the two groups. The angle formed by the optic nerve in the optic canal and in the intracranial subarachnoid space at the exit of the optic canal (degree of optic nerve bending) was significantly larger in the atypical group than in the typical group (42.6° vs. 23.9°, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION: In some pituitary adenomas, visual field defects begin inferiorly. This may be caused by optic nerve compression on the superior surface by the bony margin of the optic canal exit. Therefore, pituitary adenomas should be considered in patients with atypical visual field defects.