Pituitary adenoma and intracerebral aneurysms: case series, systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: p < 0.01 for comparison with general population

• Effect Size: 4% pooled prevalence

• Primary Outcome: Prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in pituitary adenoma patients

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Prevalence ratio approximately 2-3 times higher than general population

• Confidence Interval: 95% CI: 2-4%

Clinical Application

Screening protocols may need consideration for high-risk pituitary adenoma patients Relevant to Australian endocrinology and neurosurgery practice; may inform TGA-approved imaging protocols and Medicare-funded screening strategies for selected patients Patients with pituitary adenomas, particularly macroadenomas and non-functioning adenomas

Abstract

PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and Pituitary Adenoma (PA) coexistence has been reported for decades, yet available evidence remains fragmented. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines to assess clinical features of patients with both conditions and quantify the prevalence of IAs in PA patients. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched up to December 15, 2025. Studies reporting coexistence of IAs and PAs were included. Individual patient-level data (Group 1) and aggregate prevalence data (Group 2) were analyzed separately. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. All analyses were performed using metaprop function from the meta package in R software. RESULTS: Seventy-one studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies have a low RoB. In Group 1 (74 patients), PAs were predominantly macroadenomas (91.9%), most frequently non-functioning (40.5%). IAs were mainly in the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (33%). IA diagnosis occurred significantly later than PA diagnosis (p < 0.01). In Group 2 (5264 patients), the pooled prevalence of IAs among PAs was 4% (95% CI 2-4%; I² = 92.1%, τ² = 1.1050, p < 0.0001). Sex-stratified prevalence was 8% (95% CI: 6%-9%) in females and 6% (95% CI: 4%-7%) in males. IAs sex-specific prevalence was significantly higher in both male and female PA patients as compared to the general population (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with PAs show a higher IAs prevalence compared with the general population, likely reflecting combined hemodynamic, anatomical, and endocrine influences.

References

1. 1.Marino Picciola, V., Borghesi, M., Trombin, V., Chirico, S., Ambrosio, M. R., & Zatelli, M. C. (2026). Pituitary adenoma and intracerebral aneurysms: case series, systematic review and meta-analysis. Pituitary. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-0948