Dr. Shady Mohamed Safwat

Nerve compression in the spine occurs when something like a disc or bone puts pressure on a nerve in the back or neck.

Symptoms:
🔸 Pain in the back or neck.
🔸 Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.
🔸 Muscle weakness or difficulty moving the hands or feet.
🔸 A sensation of tingling or warmth in the limbs.

Treatment:
💊 Medications: Such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
💪 Physical therapy: Exercises to relieve pressure on the nerves and improve movement.
🛌 Rest: Avoid activities that may increase pain.
🩺 Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the nerve.

If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to visit a doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

✅ Yes, it is possible to treat a pituitary tumor without surgery in certain cases.

🧪 If the tumor secretes prolactin hormone (📉 prolactinoma), treatment typically involves:

Using medications such as:

Cabergoline

Bromocriptine

➡️ These medications help to:

Reduce hormone production.

Shrink the tumor size.

Sometimes, they are sufficient to achieve complete recovery.

🔍 In other cases:

If the tumor:

Puts pressure on nearby nerves (e.g., the optic nerve).

Does not respond to medication.

The recommended options may include:

🩺 Endoscopic surgery.

☢️ Radiotherapy if surgery is not feasible.

🩻 Conclusion: The appropriate treatment plan is determined by the physician based on the tumor's type, size, and the patient's symptoms.

✅ Yes, surgery can be performed on the pituitary gland to remove tumors or treat conditions that affect it.

🩺 The most common surgery is endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery or pituitary gland endoscopic surgery. This procedure uses delicate endoscopes inserted through the nose to reach the pituitary gland, making it a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery.

➡️ Benefits of endoscopic surgery include:
📉 Less pain for the patient.
⏱️ Shorter recovery time.
🎯 High precision in tumor removal.

🔍 When is surgery performed?
It is recommended if the tumor:

• Compresses surrounding nerves, such as the optic nerve.
• Significantly affects hormone production.
• Does not respond to medication.

☢️ Surgical alternatives:
If surgery is not possible, options include:

• Radiotherapy.
• Medications (depending on the type of tumor).

🩻 Conclusion: Endoscopic pituitary surgery is considered the best option for treating large or complex tumors due to its safety and effectiveness in most cases

✅ Recovery time depends on several factors, such as the type of surgery and the patient’s overall health. In general, recovery can be divided into the following:

Returning to work:

🧑‍💻 Office jobs: You can return after 2-4 weeks.

🛠️ Active jobs: It is recommended to take 6 weeks off before returning to work.

Daily activities:

🏃‍♂️ Physical activities: Wait 6 weeks before resuming sports or intense exercise.

🛏️ Sexual activity: It can be resumed after 6 weeks.

Self-care and follow-up:

💊 Medications: Patients may need hormonal medications or pain relievers.

🩺 Medical follow-up: Regular check-ups are needed to monitor hormone levels and pituitary health.

Life after surgery:

🌱 Healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet and sufficient sleep are essential.

🩻 Conclusion:
The recovery time after pituitary gland surgery ranges from 2-6 weeks, with the importance of proper self-care and follow-up with the doctor for an effective recovery.