Headaches in Patients with Pituitary Tumors: a Clinical Conundrum

Purpose of Review

Pituitary tumors account for approximately 17% of all intracranial neoplasms, with the majority being pituitary adenomas. Often, these are found incidentally during a workup for headache; however, the relationship between symptom and pathology remains unclear. The purpose of this article is to review the most recent literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of headaches in patients with pituitary tumors.

Recent Findings

The current literature is limited, with few prospective trials focusing on this question. With the exception of pituitary apoplexy, the relationship between headaches and pituitary masses remains unclear. Intervention does not always improve headache and can lead to development of new headache syndromes.

Summary

Further research is needed to better elucidate the relationship between pituitary tumors and headaches. Headache alone is rarely an indication for surgical management of a pituitary adenoma.