Pituitary Surgery

[Anon]

I’ve just been diagnosed with a pituitary macroadenoma that will require surgery. My only symptom has been a small visual field defect that I thought was dirty glasses for the past 2 years or more.

Assuming an uneventful surgery and recovery, what would be required to get my Class II back?

 

[Pilotfortheman]

I'm definitely not any authority on this subject but it looks like most issues with the pituitary would require an FAA decision. Most likely your AME would have to defer your application to the FAA so they could look over your info. I'd consult an AME that specializes in pilots with cases that need extra review so you can get the correct info to the FAA the first time to avoid delays. First and foremost follow Dr's orders and get healthy.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...e/app_process/exam_tech/item48/amd/endocrine/

 

[Everskyward]

I'm no authority either, although I have had pituitary surgery. I was down for 6 months, then had a 1 year SI which reverted to a normal first class medical after a year. Dr. Bruce helped me with this. Like everything else, it depends on how it affects you.

 

[Eldorado]

Assuming uneventful surgery, will need a definitive diagnosis, new medications, period of time to monitor recovery. I see at least a couple years of careful following until one can call the surgery “uneventful”. Will they get all the tumor or some of it? Will they have to irradiate later? Just a guess, but a couple years seems reasonable(it is a type brain surgery). Get expert care and cross the regulatory maze later.

 

[bbchien]

Depends on whaat your post op visual fields look like..... .

 

[Anon]

OP here.

Postop visual fields are perfect. I’ve had one follow up MRI that showed some sinus inflammation but everything else was normal. I’m supposed to get MRIs annually, with the next one being in December or January. I’m on no meds.

I’d like to get a Commercial certificate and I’d like to fly in Canada. What would be involved in getting a Class 2 from where I am now?

Also, thank God for BasicMed!

 

[WingmanMed]

Vision (with field of view) and labs to show hormone levels are in the normal ranges, plus imaging and a good follow up plan. We have actually handled a couple of these now and one is written up as a Success Story.

 

[bbchien]

The auth looks like this (anonymized)....we did this on in the middle of Covid.

 

[Anon]

Thanks, Dr.C. That doesn't look too onerous. I'm surprised they don't want MRI scans.

Two quick follow ups, if I may: 1) my Neuroophthalmologist has released me, as I no longer have one of his disorders. When they ask for "a current eye examination from your treating eye specialist," does that mean I need to re-visit that doctor, any ophthalmologist, or the optometrist who made the original provisional diagnosis of a visual field defect? It matters because there's only one Neuroophthalmologist in the state, and he's booking WAY out. I assume the care summary could be dictated by my PCP?
2) If I show up in my AME's office (or yours) with all of this documentation in hand, how much time would you predict it would take to get from deferral to issuance? I understand the disclaimers, etc.; I'm asking for a guess, not a promise.

Thanks again.

Anon (not Q!)

 

[bbchien]

You will need, after postop recovery, all the hormone levels, and the formal up to date Humphrey Visual fields, eye doc's exam (FAA form 8500-7). Thes parts can't be done by a PCP. IF all is okay it's about 8-10 weeks from when you are deferred-to-certificate.

(? You sound like you're from the upper midwest....the great plains is becoming a healthcare desert, save OKC, Omaha, Kansas City, and Grand Forks....?)