Ultrastructural Classification of Pituary Adenomas

Adenoaas of the pituitary are no longer classified based on their tinctorial affinity to dyes. With the advent of the newer methods of sophisticated technology, it is now possible to classify. These depending upon the type of hormone secreted based either on histochemical techniques or on ultrastructural characteristics. The latter provides an insight into the cytoplasmic organelle morphology which offers a delightful feast to the eye as well.This paper presents the ultrastructural characters of the pituitary adenoma as seen in Madras. 171 adenomas (124 males and 47 females) were seen during 1972-1989, classified at the light microscope level as 159 chromophobe, 2 basophilic, 4 eosinophilic and 6 mixed adenomas.Ultrastructural examination showed that the sparsely granular prolactin cell adenoma is the commonest adenoma to be encountered closely followed by the growth hormone cell adenoma, null cell adenoma, the mixed cell adenoma and others.