Midline Filum of the Sellar Dura: A Useful Landmark During Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. ons391-ons394
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zada ◽  
Albert H. Kim ◽  
Lance S. Governale ◽  
Edward R. Laws
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Venous Bleeding ◽  
Lateral Structures ◽  
Internal Carotid Arteries

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: During endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, identification and constant awareness of the midline is imperative to prevent injury to critical lateral structures, such as the internal carotid arteries. OBJECTIVE: To describe the relevance of a midline filum of the sellar dura which, when present, can serve as a useful intraoperative anatomic marker. METHODS: Intraoperative video recordings of twenty patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery were retrospectively reviewed to assess for the presence and location of a midline dural filum or apparent central dural vascular structure. Prospective intraoperative data were gathered on an additional 16 patients. RESULTS: A midline dural filum was identified in 18 of 36 patients (50%) undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. This structure was identified on the midline in all cases, as confirmed by intraoperative neuronavigation and comparison with the vomer. The midline dural filum was identified as a strand-like dural extension (13 patients) or as a small vascular dural structure usually exhibiting low pressure venous bleeding (5 patients). Samples of the midline dural filum were obtained from 2 patients for histopathological analysis, which demonstrated dense collagenous connective tissue without evidence of vessel wall or ductal epithelium. CONCLUSION: In addition to anatomic structures such as the vomer and midline sphenoid sinus septations, a midline dural filum serves as a useful marker during the sellar phase of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Along with intraoperative neuronavigation and Doppler ultrasonography of the cavernous carotid arteries, identification of this structure may further aid in safeguarding against injury to critical paramedian structures.

scholarly journals Transient Exacerbation of Nasal Symptoms following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Tumors: A Prospective Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Davies ◽  
Erica Tirr ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Kanna Gnanalingham
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Rapid Reduction ◽  
Nasal Symptoms ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
A Prospective Study

Object Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is the commonest approach to pituitary tumors. One disadvantage of this approach is the development of early postoperative nasal symptoms. Our aim was to clarify the peak onset of these symptoms and their temporal evolution. Methods The General Nasal Patient Inventory (GNPI) was administered to 56 patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors preoperatively and at 1 day, 3 days, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 to 12 months postoperatively. Most patients underwent surgery for pituitary adenomas (N = 49; 88%) and through a uninostril approach (N = 55; 98%). Total GNPI (0–135) and scores for the 45 individual components were compared. Results GNPI scores peaked at 1 to 3 days postoperatively, with rapid reduction to baseline by 2 weeks and below baseline by 6 to 12 months postsurgery (p < 0.01). Of the 45 individual symptoms on the GNPI scale, 19 (42%) worsened transiently after surgery (p < 0.05). Functioning tumors had a higher GNPI scores at postoperative day 1 and 3 than nonfunctioning tumors, although their temporal evolution was the same (p < 0.05). Conclusions Nasal morbidity following endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is common, but transient, more so in the functioning subgroup. Nasal symptoms improve below baseline by 6 to 12 months, without the need for specific long-term postoperative interventions in the vast majority of patients.

scholarly journals Increased oxytocin release precedes hyponatremia after pituitary surgery

Pituitary ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Eugène Constanthin ◽  
Nathalie Isidor ◽  
Sophie de Seigneux ◽  
Shahan Momjian
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Sodium Balance ◽  
Posterior Pituitary ◽  
Axon Terminals ◽  
Early Marker ◽  
Inappropriate Secretion ◽  
Oxytocin Release ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
First Time

Abstract Purpose The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a well-known complication of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, related to inappropriate secretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP). Its diagnosis is based on hyponatremia, with a peak of occurrence around day 7 after surgery and, to date, no early marker has been reported. In particular, copeptin levels are not predictive of hyponatremia in this case. Oxytocin (OXT) is secreted into the peripheral blood by axon terminals adjacent to those of AVP neurons in the posterior pituitary. Besides its role in childbirth and lactation, recent evidences suggested a role for OXT in sodium balance. The contribution of this hormone in the dysnatremias observed after pituitary surgery has however never been investigated. Methods We analyzed the urinary output of OXT in patients subjected to transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Results While OXT excretion remained stable in patients who presented a normonatremic postoperative course, patients who were later diagnosed with SIADH-related hyponatremia presented with a significantly increased urinary secretion of OXT 4 days after surgery. Conclusion Taken together, these results show for the first time that urinary OXT output remains normally stable after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. OXT excretion however becomes abnormally high on or around 4 days after surgery in patients later developing hyponatremia, suggesting that this abnormal dynamics of OXT secretion might serve as an early marker for transsphenoidal surgery-related hyponatremia attributed to SIADH.

scholarly journals Predictors of sinonasal quality of life and nasal morbidity after fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery

2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 1458-1465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Little ◽  
Daniel Kelly ◽  
John Milligan ◽  
Chester Griffiths ◽  
Daniel M. Prevedello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Nasal Packing ◽  
Nasal Endoscopy ◽  
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Patient Reported

OBJECT Despite the increasing application of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesions, the prognostic factors that are associated with sinonasal quality of life (QOL) and nasal morbidity are not well understood. The authors examine the predictors of sinonasal QOL and nasal morbidity in patients undergoing fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. METHODS An exploratory post hoc analysis was conducted of patients who underwent endoscopic pituitary surgery and were enrolled in a prospective multicenter QOL study. End points of the study included patient-reported sinonasal QOL and objective nasal endoscopy findings. Multivariate models were developed to determine the patient and surgical factors that correlated with QOL at 2 weeks through 6 months after surgery. RESULTS This study is a retrospective review of a subgroup of patients studied in the clinical trial “Rhinological Outcomes in Endonasal Pituitary Surgery” (clinical trial no. NCT01504399, clinicaltrials.gov). Data from 100 patients who underwent fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery were included. Predictors of a lower postoperative sinonasal QOL at 2 weeks were use of nasal splints (p = 0.039) and female sex at the trend level (p = 0.061); at 3 months, predictors of lower QOL were the presence of sinusitis (p = 0.025), advancing age (p = 0.044), and use of absorbable nasal packing (p = 0.014). Health status (multidimensional QOL) was also predictive at 2 weeks (p = 0.001) and 3 months (p < 0.001) and was the only significant predictor of sinonasal QOL at 6 months (p < 0.001). A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to study time to resolution of nasal crusting, mucopurulence, and synechia as observed during nasal endoscopy after surgery. The mean time (± SEM) to absence of nasal crusting was 16.3 ± 2.1 weeks, mucopurulence was 6.2 ± 1.1 weeks, and synechia was 4.4 ± 0.5 weeks. Use of absorbable nasal packing was associated with more severe mucopurulence. CONCLUSIONS Sinonasal QOL following endoscopic pituitary surgery reaches a nadir at 2 weeks and recovers by 3 months postoperatively. Use of absorbable packing and nasal splints, while used in a minority of patients, negatively correlates with early sinonasal QOL. Sinonasal QOL and overall health status are well correlated in the postoperative period, suggesting the important influence of sinonasal QOL on the patient experience.

A novel transnasal transsphenoidal speculum: a design for both microscopic and endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 1380-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Chole ◽  
Chris Lim ◽  
Brian Dunham ◽  
Michael R. Chicoine ◽  
Ralph G. Dacey
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Transsphenoidal Approach ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Surgical Experience ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Minimally Invasive Surgical ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Microscopic Techniques

Over the last several years minimally invasive surgical approaches to the sella turcica and parasellar regions have undergone significant change. The transsphenoidal approach to this region has evolved from a sublabial transnasal, to transnasal, to pure endonasal approaches with the increasing popularity of endoscopic over microscopic techniques. Endoscopic and microscopic techniques individually or in combination have their own unique advantages, and the preference of one over the other awaits further technological refinements and surgical experience. In parallel with this evolution in techniques for transsphenoidal surgery, the authors designed an adaptable versatile speculum for the endonasal/transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the sella turcica and parasellar regions that can be used equally effectively with a microscope or an endoscope. The development of this instrument and its unique features are described, and its initial clinical use is summarized. This transnasal transsphenoidal speculum has interchangeable blades, unique blade angulations, and independent blade opening mechanisms and allows safe, optimal exposure in all patients regardless of the size and anatomical aberrations of individual nasal and endonasal regions. An attached endoscope carrier further allows it to be used interchangeably with microscopic or endoscopic techniques without having to remove the speculum; likewise, a single surgeon can use both hands without need of an assistant. A forehead headrest component adds further stabilization. This device has been used successfully in 90 transsphenoidal procedures.

Recognition and management of delayed hyponatremia following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zada ◽  
Charles Y. Liu ◽  
Dawn Fishback ◽  
Peter A. Singer ◽  
Martin H. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Serum Sodium ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
University Of Southern California ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
The University

Object The goal of this study was to assess the incidence of symptomatic and occult hyponatremia in patients who had undergone transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Methods Patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery at the University of Southern California University Hospital between 1997 and 2004 had serum sodium levels drawn on an outpatient basis on postoperative Day 7. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, symptomatic and asymptomatic hyponatremia. Two hundred forty-one patients had routine serum sodium levels drawn as outpatients on postoperative Day 7. Twenty-three percent of these patients were found to be hyponatremic (Na ≤ 135 mEq/L). The overall incidence rate of symptomatic hyponatremia in the 241 patients was 5%. The majority of hyponatremic patients (80%) remained asymptomatic, whereas 20% became symptomatic. In patients with symptomatic hyponatremia, the mean sodium level at diagnosis was 120.5 mEq/L, compared with 128.4 mEq/L in asymptomatic, hyponatremic patients (p < 0.0001). Female patients were more likely to develop hyponatremia than male patients (33% compared with 22%, p < 0.03). Fifty-two percent of patients who had transient diabetes insipidus (DI) early in their postoperative course subsequently developed hyponatremia, compared with 21% of those who did not have DI (p < 0.001). Patient age, tumor type, and tumor size did not correlate with development of delayed hyponatremia. Outpatients with moderately and severely low sodium levels were 5 and 12.5 times more likely, respectively, to be symptomatic than were patients with mild hyponatremia. Conclusions Delayed hyponatremia occurs more frequently than was previously suspected in patients who have undergone transsphenoidal surgery, especially in female patients and those who have previously had transient DI. The majority of hyponatremic patients remain asymptomatic. Obtaining a serum sodium value on an outpatient basis 1 week after pituitary surgery is helpful in recognition, risk stratification, and subsequent intervention, and may prevent potentially serious complications.

Hermann Schloffer and the origin of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. E5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Schmidt ◽  
Osamah J. Choudhry ◽  
Ramya Takkellapati ◽  
Jean Anderson Eloy ◽  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Transsphenoidal Approach ◽  
Harvey Cushing ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Transsphenoidal Operation ◽  
Technological Limitations ◽  
The University

A little over a century ago, in 1907, at the University of Innsbruck, Hermann Schloffer performed the first transsphenoidal surgery on a living patient harboring a pituitary adenoma. Schloffer used a superior nasal route via a transfacial lateral rhinotomy incision. This was perhaps his greatest academic contribution to neurosurgery. Despite the technological limitations of that time, Schloffer's operation was groundbreaking in that it laid the foundation for future development and refinement of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, influencing prominent surgeons such as Oskar Hirsch and Harvey Cushing. Even after undergoing multiple modifications and a brief fall into obscurity, the transsphenoidal approach has endured through generations of surgeons and remains the preferred approach for lesions of the sella turcica to this day. Although Schloffer performed primarily abdominal surgery in his practice, his contributions to the transsphenoidal approach have had a lasting impact in the field of pituitary and skull base surgery. The authors review the life and career of Hermann Schloffer, the surgical details of his transsphenoidal operation, and the legacy that it has left on the field of pituitary surgery.

scholarly journals Endonasal Arteriovenous Fistula Following Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma Treated with N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate

2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (03) ◽  
pp. 196-198
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Saal-Zapata ◽  
Walter Durand Castro ◽  
Rodolfo Rodriguez Varela
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenoma ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Endovascular Embolization ◽  
External Carotid Artery ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
External Carotid ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

AbstractVascular lesions of the external carotid artery after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery are rare. Immediate diagnosis must be done and endovascular embolization is the treatment of choice.We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with visual complaints who underwent transsphenoidal surgery of a pituitary adenoma with good clinical and radiological evolution. Five days after surgery nasal tampons were removed and suddenly the patient started to bleed: nasal packing and air way protection were required. Digital subtraction angiography revealed an endonasal arteriovenous fistula with a feeder from the sphenopalatine artery and drainage to sphenopalatine veins. Embolization with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate was performed with total obliteration of the arteriovenous fistula. We suggest that endovascular treatment of external carotid artery lesions after transsphenoidal surgery is the best alternative in cases of active bleeding.

159 Factors Associated with Postoperative Complications Following Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Tumor resection from the national Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
Andrew Karl Rock ◽  
Charles Frederick Opalak ◽  
Kathryn Workman ◽  
Matthew Carr ◽  
William C Broaddus
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Complications ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Surgical Quality ◽  
Duration Of Surgery ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Complications And Mortality

Abstract INTRODUCTION Pituitary tumors are the second most common brain tumor (15.9%) in the United States. Transsphenoidal surgery is commonly indicated for pituitary tumors and few studies have investigated postoperative complications following this procedure. Our objective was to utilize the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for complications following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. METHODS Patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumor resection (CPT codes: 61 548, 62 165) from 2005 to 2015 were extracted from the ACS-NSQIP. The prevalence of postoperative complications was determined. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic, comorbid, and perioperative characteristics associated with any morbidity, severe (Clavien IV) complications, and mortality. RESULTS >Within 1177 transsphenoidal surgeries, there were 105 (8.92%) cases with at least one non-fatal complication, 29 (2.46%) cases with a severe complication, and 11 (0.93%) cases of mortality. The three most common complications were: reoperation (3.40%), transfusion (2.04%), and unplanned intubation (2.70%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the only significant predictors for postoperative complications were: 1) duration of surgery in hours for any morbidity (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.30; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.15-1.46; P < 0.001), severe complications (OR: 1.38; 95% CI; 1.18-1.61; P < 0.001), and mortality (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.11-1.67; P < 0.01); and 2) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III-V for any morbidity (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.23-3.21; P < 0.05) and severe complications (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.13-7.94; P < 0.05). The area under the curve for any morbidity, severe complications, and mortality were 0.67, 0.74, and 0.77, respectively. CONCLUSION Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is a relatively safe procedure with any morbidity occurring in approximately 1 in 10 patients and mortality occurring in approximately 1 in 100 patients. Our findings demonstrate duration of surgery and higher ASA classification is associated with increased risk for postoperative complications following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Pituitary gland recovery following fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma: results of a prospective multicenter study

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 1732-1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Little ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda ◽  
Michael R. Chicoine ◽  
Garni Barkhoudarian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenoma ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Diabetes Insipidus ◽  
Adrenal Insufficiency ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Gland Function

OBJECTIVERecovery from preexisting hypopituitarism after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma is an important outcome to investigate. Furthermore, pituitary function has not been thoroughly evaluated after fully endoscopic surgery, and benchmark outcomes have not been clearly established. Here, the authors characterize pituitary gland outcomes with a focus on gland recovery following endoscopic transsphenoidal removal of clinically nonfunctioning adenomas.METHODSThis multicenter prospective study was conducted at 6 US pituitary centers among adult patients with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas who had undergone endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery. Pituitary gland function was evaluated 6 months after surgery.RESULTSThe 177 enrolled patients underwent fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery; 169 (95.5%) of them were available for follow-up. Ninety-five (56.2%) of the 169 patients had had a preoperative deficiency in at least one hormone axis, and 20/95 (21.1%) experienced recovery in at least one axis at the 6-month follow-up. Patients with adrenal insufficiency were more likely to recover (10/34 [29.4%]) than were those with hypothyroidism (8/72 [11.1%]) or male hypogonadism (5/50 [10.0%]). At the 6-month follow-up, 14/145 (9.7%) patients had developed at least one new deficiency. The study did not identify any predictors of gland recovery (p ≥ 0.20). Permanent diabetes insipidus was observed in 4/166 (2.4%) patients. Predictors of new gland dysfunction included a larger tumor size (p = 0.009) and Knosp grade 3 and 4 (p = 0.051).CONCLUSIONSFully endoscopic pituitary surgery resulted in improvement of pituitary gland function in a substantial minority of patients. The deficiency from which patients were most likely to recover was adrenal insufficiency. Overall rates of postoperative permanent diabetes insipidus were low. This study provides multicenter benchmark neuroendocrine clinical outcome data for the endoscopic technique.

scholarly journals Early postoperative MRI and detection of residual adenoma after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea M. Alhilali ◽  
Andrew S. Little ◽  
Kevin C. J. Yuen ◽  
Jae Lee ◽  
Timothy K. Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Intraoperative Assessment ◽  
Postoperative Mri ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

OBJECTIVECurrent practice guidelines recommend delayed (≥ 3 months after operation) postoperative MRI after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, although this practice defers obtaining important information, such as the presence of a residual adenoma, that might influence patient management during the perioperative period. In this study, the authors compared detection of residual adenomas by means of early postoperative (EPO) MRI (< 48 hours postsurgery) with both surgeon intraoperative assessment and late postoperative (LPO) MRI at 3 months.METHODSAdult patients who underwent microscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas with MRI preoperatively, < 48 hours after the operation, 3 months postoperatively, and yearly for 4 years were included. The presence or absence of residual tumor was assessed intraoperatively by a single surgeon and postoperatively by 2 neuroradiologists blinded to the intraoperative assessment and other postoperative imaging studies. The presence of residual tumor was confirmed by reresection, tumor growth on imaging, or hormonal evidence. Interreader reliability was calculated at each imaging time point. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for EPO and LPO imaging and intraoperative assessment were determined.RESULTSIn total, 102 consecutive patients who underwent microscopic transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma were included. Eighteen patients (18%) had confirmed residual tumors (12 confirmed by tumor growth, 5 by surgery, and 1 by biochemical evidence of persistent disease). Interreader reliability for detecting residual tumor on EPO MRI was almost perfect (κ = 0.88) and significantly higher than that for LPO MRI (κ = 0.69, p = 0.03). EPO MRI was highly specific for residual tumor (98%), a finding similar to that for intraoperative assessment (99%, p = 0.60) and significantly higher than that for LPO MRI (81%, p < 0.001). Notably, EPO MRI was significantly more sensitive for residual tumor (100%) than both intraoperative assessment (78%, p = 0.04) and LPO MRI (78%, p = 0.04). EPO MRI had a 100% negative predictive value and was used to find 4 residual tumors that were not identified intraoperatively. Residual tumors found on EPO MRI allowed for reresection during the same hospitalization for 3 patients.CONCLUSIONSEPO MRI after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can be reliably interpreted and has greater sensitivity for detecting residual tumor than intraoperative assessment and LPO MRI. This result challenges current guidelines stating that delayed postoperative imaging is preferable to early imaging. Pituitary surgeons should consider performing EPO MRI either in addition to or instead of delayed imaging.

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