Arizona horseshoe bend in Glen Canyon

Pituitary Center

About Our Center

Being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor or pituitary disorder probably set many questions racing through your mind. Because pituitary tumors and the diseases they cause are rare, many people have no idea what to expect when they are diagnosed, and they often don’t know where to turn next.

If you’re reading this, you’ve turned to the right place. At the Pituitary Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, our specialists believe that patient education and involvement form a vital foundation for the successful treatment of pituitary tumors and disorders. And, because our doctors and nurses treat more people with pituitary disorders than any other team in the Southwest, you can rest assured that you will be in experienced hands once you decide on a course of treatment.

Learn more about the pituitary gland location and how this gland functions.

To learn more about our team of pituitary experts or to request an appointment, please call (602) 406-7585.

The Barrow Difference

Mastering the Master Gland: The Most Experienced Center in the Southwest

No other hospital in the Southwest performs more pituitary surgeries on a yearly basis than Barrow Neurological Institute. In fact, 2018 we performed six times as many pituitary procedures as any other hospital in the state. Patients travel from around the country to come to Barrow. Patients who have surgery by an experienced surgeon have better outcomes than patients who have surgery by a surgeon who only performs the surgery a few times a year.

This experience means that our doctors and nurses have seen nearly every kind of pituitary tumor and disorder imaginable. With this exposure, they have gained invaluable insight that helps them be efficient and effective in administering your care.

This graph shows that the pituitary center and barrow neurological institute performs more than twice as many pituitary surgeries than all other hospitals in Arizona combined.
Pituitary Surgeries in Arizona Hospitals in 2018
doctors researching on a laptop

Team Approach

Many pituitary disorders can cause problems in your body far beyond the pituitary gland. Our location at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s—the largest hospital in Arizona—means that Barrow patients also have access to a tremendous array of specialists.

Clinical Trials and Research

Not only is Barrow a place to receive the most advanced treatment and care for your pituitary tumor or disorder, we are also a place where you can help contribute to the scientific understanding and therapeutic research surrounding acromegaly, adenomas, gigantism, and other disorders that implicate the pituitary gland.

doctor and patient talking

Certified Neuroscience Nurses

The experience of our staff doesn’t drop off outside of our neurosurgeons and neurologists. All of our nurses at the Barrow Pituitary Center are required to undergo additional rigorous training in the nuances and complexities of advanced neuroscience nursing practice. This guarantees that whenever you see a Barrow nurse at your bedside, you will know you are receiving expert care.

In fact, many of the surgical treatments and medical protocols used on patients here were researched and developed on site and have spread to many other top hospitals the world over.

All of Your Appointments on One Campus

Because there is such a diversity of medical knowledge within minutes of our doors, odds are that you will be able to concentrate all of your necessary care under one roof. At Barrow, we refer to this as having a “medical home.” And, as you would expect with anyplace called home, with it comes convenience, comfort, and compassionate care.

Portrait of Patricia Buckley

Dr. Yuen was able to quickly assess the situation and, over time, has literally given me my life back. He gave me back things that I hadn’t even realized that I was missing out on.

Patricia Buckley Barrow Pituitary Center Patient
Sonja Aros giving a testimonial about her pituitary surgery

When I went to Barrow and talked to Dr. Little, he made me feel at ease. He then explained the procedure to me which made me feel much better. It was going to be a less-invasive approach than I thought.

Sonja Aros Barrow Pituitary Center Patient
Portrait of Pastor David Clark

Dr. Barranco’s skill, I think, speaks for itself. But the unsung heroes here are the four nurses I had in intensive care. They did more than just follow the doctor’s instructions; they also anticipated what I needed at times when I didn’t even know I needed it.

David Clark Barrow Pituitary Center Patient

Location

Barrow Neurological Institute campus in 3D

Videos

Get to Know Our Specialists

Dr. Little Explains Pituitary Tumors & Surgery

Dr. Little Explains Pituitary Tumors & Surgery

Dr. Little explains the minimally invasive techniques he uses to remove pituitary…
Get to Know Dr. Yuen

Get to Know Dr. Yuen

Get to know Dr. Kevin Yuen, a neuroendocrinologist and the medical director…
Get to Know Dr. Little

Get to Know Dr. Little

Get to know Dr. Andrew Little, co-director of the Pituitary Center at…

Patient Testimonials

Michelle: Transsphenoidal Surgery for Acromegaly

Michelle: Transsphenoidal Surgery for Acromegaly

For Michelle Seebinger, receiving a diagnosis of acromegaly was like getting hit…
'My Headache Came Back with a Vengeance'

'My Headache Came Back with a Vengeance'

Sonja Aros, 44, was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor after all of…
Gideon: Keeping the Music Alive

Gideon: Keeping the Music Alive

As a concert violinist, Gideon Lapid was alarmed when acromegaly caused his…
Pituitary Surgery Keeps Race Car Driver in Fast Lane

Pituitary Surgery Keeps Race Car Driver in Fast Lane

For PJ Jones, it started with an excruciating headache and frightening vision…
Mark Johnson: How a Fall in North Dakota Landed Him in Phoenix

Mark Johnson: How a Fall in North Dakota Landed Him in Phoenix

When Mark Johnson fell in snowy parking lot and was knocked unconscious,…
Ron Ball: Surgery and CyberKnife for a Pituitary Adenoma

Ron Ball: Surgery and CyberKnife for a Pituitary Adenoma

Ron Ball traveled to Barrow Neurological Institute from Kansas to receive treatment…

Pituitary Expert Q&A Part 1

Lifting Restriction Following Pituitary Surgery

Lifting Restriction Following Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, discusses the recommended lifting restrictions after pituitary…
Restrictions Following Pituitary Surgery

Restrictions Following Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, addresses restrictions that follow pituitary surgery to…
Is it okay to cough or sneeze after pituitary surgery?

Is it okay to cough or sneeze after pituitary surgery?

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD discusses whether it is okay or not…
Are pituitary tumors hereditary?

Are pituitary tumors hereditary?

Barrow neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, discusses the likelihood of tumors being inherited…
The Importance of Fluid Restriction After Pituitary Surgery

The Importance of Fluid Restriction After Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, talks about what fluid restriction is and…
Likelihood and Expectations of Improvement in Pituitary Hormones After Surgery

Likelihood and Expectations of Improvement in Pituitary Hormones After Surgery

Barrow neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, addresses the likelihood and expectations of pituitary…
Expectations for Vision Improvement Following Pituitary Surgery

Expectations for Vision Improvement Following Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, describes the possible outcomes of vision improvement…
How long is pituitary surgery?

How long is pituitary surgery?

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, and neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD talk about…
How long does it take to recover from pituitary surgery?

How long does it take to recover from pituitary surgery?

Dr. Little talks about the recovery time needed after transsphenoidal surgery to…

Pituitary Expert Q&A Part 2

Is it safe to fly after pituitary surgery?

Is it safe to fly after pituitary surgery?

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, and neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, cover precautionary…
When to Return to Work after Pituitary Surgery

When to Return to Work after Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, and neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD present guidelines…
Nasal Care for Pituitary Surgery

Nasal Care for Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, talks about how to take care of…
Common Hormones Tested Before and After Pituitary Surgery

Common Hormones Tested Before and After Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, covers the most common hormones tested before…
Hospital Stay Duration for Pituitary Surgery

Hospital Stay Duration for Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, covers the expected length of stay in…
Can a pituitary tumor return after it's been surgically removed?

Can a pituitary tumor return after it's been surgically removed?

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, discusses the likelihood of a pituitary tumor…
Pain Management for Pituitary Surgery

Pain Management for Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, discusses the multi-modal approach for postoperative pain…
Postoperative Care for Pituitary Surgery

Postoperative Care for Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, covers the necessary postoperative care for pituitary…
Postoperative Follow-Up for Pituitary Surgery

Postoperative Follow-Up for Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, and neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, break down…
When to Expect to Recover Sense of Smell After Pituitary Surgery

When to Expect to Recover Sense of Smell After Pituitary Surgery

Barrow neurosurgeon, Andrew Little, MD, and neuro-endocrinologist, Kevin Yuen, MD, discuss when…

Patient Education and Information Videos

Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery Explained

Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery Explained

Andrew Little, MD, co-director of the Barrow Pituitary Center, explains how endoscopic…
Cushing's Syndrome and COVID-19

Cushing's Syndrome and COVID-19

Kevin Yuen, MD, co-director of the Barrow Pituitary Center, presents on Cushing’s…
How to Perform Nasal Irrigation After Surgery

How to Perform Nasal Irrigation After Surgery

Griffin Santarelli, MD, demonstrates for patients how to perform nasal irrigation after…
Surgery for Cushing's Disease

Surgery for Cushing's Disease

Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. Andrew S. Little, discusses the next frontier in…
Current and Emerging Drug Therapies for Cushing Syndome

Current and Emerging Drug Therapies for Cushing Syndome

Professor of Neurology, Dr. Kevin Yuen, discusses the next frontier in medication…

Surgical Videos

Removal of Pituitary Adenoma: Q&A

Removal of Pituitary Adenoma: Q&A

Follow along as Dr. Little uses a minimally invasive transsphenoidal approach to…
Removal of Pituitary Adenoma Leaving Tumor Pseudocapsule Intact

Removal of Pituitary Adenoma Leaving Tumor Pseudocapsule Intact

Barrow Neurosurgeon Dr. Andrew Little demonstrates a surgical procedure for removing a…

About Barrow Neurological Institute

Minding What Matters Most

Minding What Matters Most

Here at Barrow Neurological Institute, we are preserving thoughts, memories, dreams, personalities,…