Fully Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Tumors: Technique and Results

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Uren ◽  
Nick Vrodos ◽  
Peter-John Wormald

Background The aim of this study was to describe our two-surgeon fully endoscopic approach to pituitary surgery and to report results in terms of tumor remission, improvement in vision, and complications. A retrospective chart review was performed. Methods Our prospectively recorded surgical database was searched for all endoscopic transsphenoidal procedures between January 2001 and December 2005. Those patients who had surgery had their medical charts reviewed and presenting symptoms and signs, lesion characteristics, endocrine investigations, operative details, complications, and treatment outcomes recorded. Results Thirty-two patients were included in the study. Twenty-three patients had macroadenomas, five patients had microadenomas, and four patients had other pathologies. Most patients with macroadenomas had significant supra- or parasellar extension. Of the 14 patients who had visual loss at presentation, 13 had postoperative improvement. Two patients had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which were successfully treated endoscopically. Eight patients required some form of hormone replacement after surgery. After a mean follow-up of 31 months, the overall remission rate for patients with macroadenomas was 82% and for patients with microadenomas was 100%. Conclusion The fully endoscopic transsphenoidal approach provides excellent visualization for tumor resection and results in acceptable remission rates.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Duan ◽  
Leen Wehbeh ◽  
Debraj Mukherjee ◽  
Amir H Hamrahian ◽  
Rexford S Ahima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Craniopharyngiomas, while benign, have the highest morbidity of all pituitary tumors. Hypothalamic obesity (HO), one of the most devastating consequences, is commonly studied in the pediatric population, but few data are available on weight and other metabolic outcomes in adult-onset craniopharyngiomas (AOCP). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 49 adult patients with AOCP who underwent surgery between 1/2014 and 5/2019 at an academic pituitary center. Weight, BMI, metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, OSA), and pituitary hormone deficiencies were recorded pre-surgery and at last follow up and analyzed using paired t-tests or McNemar’s test. Results: Median age was 56 years (51% women), 45% had >1 surgery (range 1-5), and 49% had radiotherapy. Of 72 total surgeries, 54% were craniotomies and 68% of surgeries resulted in subtotal resections. Median follow up was 25 months. Median BMI was 29.2 and 30.5 kg/m2 at baseline and at last follow up, respectively. Weight was higher at last follow up (mean increase 2.7 kg; p=0.043), with an average of 4% weight gain. Patients with baseline normal and overweight BMI had significant weight gain (mean increase 5.1 kg, p=0.045; mean increase 5.5 kg, p=0.015 respectively), while those who were obese at baseline did not (mean increase 2.0 kg, p=0.302). The proportion of patients with obesity (BMI>30) increased from 37% to 53% (p=0.008). 31% of patients had >5% weight gain, with mean increase in BMI of 4.1 kg/m2 (p<0.0001) and mean weight gain of 13.1 kg (p<0.0001). 24.5% had an increase in the total number of metabolic diseases (p=0.07). Of 43 patients who were overweight or obese at last follow up, obesity was addressed in 51%, most commonly through lifestyle counseling (49%) and adjustment of hormone replacement in response to weight gain (23%). Two patients had bariatric surgery within one year of pituitary surgery. The proportion of patients with ≥3 hormone deficiencies increased from 18% to 55% (p=0.0003). At last follow-up, only one patient had GHD, diagnosed by low age-adjusted IGF-1 level. 14 of 15 patients with ≥3 hormone deficiencies had normal age-adjusted IGF-1 levels and one patient had normal GH provocative testing. Conclusion: Weight significantly increased after surgery for AOCP, with mean weight gain of 4%. 31% of patients had a marked increase in BMI and weight, suggesting possible HO. GHD is likely under-diagnosed in AOCP, and IGF-1 may not be a sensitive tool. Obesity-directed treatment is under-utilized in this patient population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Akirov ◽  
Vincent Larouche ◽  
Ilan Shimon ◽  
Sylvia L. Asa ◽  
Ozgur Mete ◽  
...  

BackgroundGlucocorticoid excess in Cushing disease (CD) leads to negative feedback suppression, resulting in Crooke's hyaline change (CC) of nontumorous pituitary corticotrophs. We aimed to determine the predictive value of CC of nontumorous corticotrophs in CD.MethodsThe retrospective chart review study included patients with clinical, biochemical, radiologic and outcome data and evaluable histopathology specimens from pituitary surgery for CD. The main outcome was remission of CD, defined by clinical features, biochemical testing, and corticosteroid dependency.ResultsOf 144 CD patients, 60 (50 women, mean age 43.6±14) had clinical follow-up, biochemical data and histopathology specimens that included evaluable nontumorous adenohypophysis. Specimens from 50 patients (83.3%) demonstrated CC in nontumorous corticotrophs, and 10 (16.7%) had no CC (including 3 with corticotroph hyperplasia). One patient with CC was lost to follow-up and one without CC had equivocal outcome results. During a mean (SD) follow-up period of 74.9 months (61.0), recurrent or persistent disease was documented in 18 patients (31.0%), while 40 (69.0%) were in remission. In patients with CC, the remission rate was 73.5% (95% CI, 59.7%-83.7%) (36/49), whereas it was 44.4% (95% CI, 18.9%-73.3%) (4/9) in patients with no CC. The combination of serum cortisol >138 nmol/L within a week of surgery coupled with absence of nontumorous CC greatly improved the prediction of recurrent or persistent disease.ConclusionsCC of nontumorous corticotrophs was observed in 83% of patients with CD, and most patients with CC experienced remission. Absence of CC in nontumorous corticotrophs may serve as a predictor of reduced remission in patients with CD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 169 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A E M Wagenmakers ◽  
H D Boogaarts ◽  
S H P P Roerink ◽  
H J L M Timmers ◽  
N M M L Stikkelbroeck ◽  
...  

ContextAlthough the endoscopic technique of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (TS) has been widely adopted, reports on its results in Cushing's disease (CD) are still scarce and no studies have investigated long-term recurrence rates. This is the largest endoscopic series published till now.ObjectiveTo gain insight into the role of endoscopic TS as a primary treatment option for CD, especially in patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative CD and (invasive) macroadenomas.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Patients and methodsThe medical records of 86 patients with CD who underwent endoscopic TS were examined. Data on preoperative and postoperative evaluation, perioperative complications, and follow-up were collected. Remission was defined as disappearance of clinical symptoms with a fasting plasma cortisol level ≤50 nmol/l either basal or after 1 mg dexamethasone.ResultsThe remission rate in different adenoma subclasses varied significantly: 60% in MRI-negative CD (n=20), 83% in microadenomas (n=35), 94% in noninvasive macroadenomas (n=16), and 40% in macroadenomas that invaded the cavernous sinus (n=15). The recurrence rate was 16% after 71±39 months of follow-up (mean±s.d., range 10–165 months).ConclusionsEndoscopic TS is a safe and effective treatment for all patients with CD. Recurrence rates after endoscopic TS are comparable with those reported for microscopic TS. Our data suggest that in patients with noninvasive and invasive macroadenomas, the endoscopic technique of TS should be the treatment of choice as remission rates seem to be higher than those reported for microscopic TS, although no comparative study has been performed.


2006 ◽  
Vol 155 (6) ◽  
pp. 823-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Ferrante ◽  
Monica Ferraroni ◽  
Tristana Castrignanò ◽  
Laura Menicatti ◽  
Mascia Anagni ◽  
...  

Objective: The long-term outcome of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) patients is not clearly established, probably due to the low annual incidence and prolonged natural history of these rare tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical data at presentation and long-term post-surgery and radiotherapy outcome in a cohort of patients with NFPA. Design and methods: A computerized database was developed using Access 2000 software (Microsoft Corporation, 1999). Retrospective registration of 295 NFPA patients was performed in seven Endocrinological Centers of North West Italy. Data were analyzed by STATA software. Results: The main presenting symptoms were visual defects (67.8%) and headache (41.4%) and the most frequent pituitary deficit was hypogonadism (43.3%), since almost all tumors were macroadenomas (96.5%). Surgery was the first choice treatment (98% of patients) and total debulking was achieved in 35.5%. Radiotherapy was performed as adjuvant therapy after surgery in 41% of patients. At the follow-up, recurrence occurred in 19.2% of patients without post-surgical residual tumor after 7.5 ± 2.6 years, regrowth in 58.4% of patients with post-surgical remnant after 5.3 ± 4.0 years and residue enlargement in 18.4% of patients post-surgically treated with radiotherapy after 8.1 ± 7.3 years. Conclusions: Our database indicates that the goal of a definitive surgical cure has been achieved during the last decade in a low percentage of patients with NFPA. This tumor database may help to reduce the delay between symptom onset and diagnosis, to assess prognostic parameters for the follow-up of patients with different risk of recurrence and to define the efficacy and safety of different treatments and their association with mortality/morbidity.


2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Jagannathan ◽  
Rene Smith ◽  
Hetty L. DeVroom ◽  
Alexander O. Vortmeyer ◽  
Constantine A. Stratakis ◽  
...  

Object Many patients with Cushing disease still have active or recurrent disease after pituitary surgery. The histological pseudocapsule of a pituitary adenoma is a layer of compressed normal anterior lobe that surrounds the adenoma and can be used during surgery to identify and guide removal of the tumor. In this study the authors examined the results of using the pseudocapsule as a surgical capsule in the resection of adenomas in patients with Cushing disease. Methods The authors reviewed a prospective database of data obtained in patients with Cushing disease who underwent surgery. The analysis included all cases in which a lesion was identified during surgery and in which the lesion was believed to be confined to the pituitary gland in patients with Cushing disease between January 1990 and March 2007. Since the objective was to determine the success of using the pseudocapsule as a surgical capsule, patients with invasive tumors and patients in whom no lesion was identified during surgery—challenging cases for surgical success—were excluded from analysis. Results In 261 patients an encapsulated adenoma was identified at surgery. Tumor was visible on MR imaging in 135 patients (52%); in 126 patients (48%) MR imaging detected no tumor. The range of tumor size overlapped considerably in the groups with positive and negative MR imaging results, indicating that in addition to size other features of the adenoma influence the results of MR imaging. In 252 patients hypercortisolism resolved after the first operation, whereas in 9 patients (3 with positive MR imaging and 6 with negative MR imaging) early reoperation was required. Hypercortisolism resolved in all 261 patients (256 with hypocortisolism and 5 with eucortisolism) before hospital discharge. Forty-six patients (18%) had postoperative electrolyte abnormalities (30 with hyponatremia and 16 with diabetes insipidus), but only 2 patients required treatment at discharge. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 84 months (range 12–215 months). Six patients (2%) had recurrence of hypercortisolism, all of whom were treated successfully with reoperation. Conclusions Because of their small size, adenomas can be challenging to identify in patients with Cushing disease. Use of the histological pseudocapsule of an adenoma allows accurate identification of the tumor and helps guide its complete excision. With this approach the overall remission rate is high and the rate of complications is low.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi S Nunna ◽  
Richard G Fessler

Abstract BACKGROUND Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. In the context of the disability inherent to PD, the additional physical challenges and pain from scoliosis can be debilitating for these patients. However, the magnitude of surgery required to correct the deformity combined with the medical co-morbidities and frailty in this population of patients makes surgery very risky. OBJECTIVE To investigate clinical presentations and outcomes of patients with PD that underwent minimally invasive long-segment fusion for scoliosis correction. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed over the years 2007 to 2017 for patients diagnosed with PD undergoing long-segment spinal fusion (5 or more levels) with the use of circumferential minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. Data including age, sex, race, medical co-morbidities, presenting symptoms, radiographic findings, surgical procedure, case history, and complications were collected from the medical record. RESULTS Retrospective chart review revealed three patients that met the inclusion criteria. They included 2 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 68.7 yr (range 63-75 yr). Ability to maintain upright posture, return to activities of daily living, and visual analog scale (VAS)-back improved in all patients at 1-yr follow-up. Results were durable at 2-yr follow-up. No medical complications were observed. CONCLUSION The generally positive results suggest that minimally invasive technique could have significant benefits in this high-risk group of patients.


2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bellut ◽  
Martin Hlavica ◽  
Christoph Schmid ◽  
René L. Bernays

Object Acromegaly is a rare disease, usually caused by a growth hormone (GH)–producing pituitary adenoma. If untreated, severe cardiovascular, metabolic, cosmetic, and orthopedic disturbances will result. Surgery is generally recommended as the first-line treatment. Transsphenoidal surgical techniques were recently extended by the introduction of intraoperative MR (iMR) imaging. In the present study, the contribution of ultra-low-field (0.15-T) iMR imaging to tumor resection, complication avoidance, and endocrinological and neurological outcome was analyzed. Methods A series of 39 consecutive transsphenoidal iMR imaging–guided (using the PoleStar N20 device) surgical procedures performed between September 2005 and August 2009 for GH-producing pituitary adenomas was retrospectively analyzed. In addition to the patients' clinical data, the following criteria were evaluated independently: duration of surgery; length of hospital stay; endocrinological parameters; results of neurological examinations; and pre-, post-, and intraoperative MR imaging results. Results Thirty-seven patients with acromegaly underwent 39 transsphenoidal surgeries for pituitary adenomas. During a median follow-up period of 30 months (range 9–56 months), the remission rate was 73.5% in 34 patients with primary surgery and 20% in 5 cases with previous surgery; overall the remission rate was 66.7%. There were no serious postoperative complications. Detection of tumor remnant on iMR imaging led to a 5.1% increase in remission rate. Conclusions In this largest study to date of GH-producing pituitary adenomas in which iMR imaging–guided transsphenoidal surgery was analyzed, the results suggest that this method is a highly effective and safe treatment modality, even compared with previously published surgical series in which high-field iMR imaging was used. Limitations of iMR imaging are the detection of small residual tumor in the cavernous sinus and persisting disease that could not be observed, even on diagnostic high-field follow-up MR images. This points to a general limitation regarding remission rates that can be achieved using iMR imaging. Nevertheless, iMR imaging led to an increase of the remission rate in this study.


2010 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
C G L Hobbs ◽  
A Darr ◽  
W V Carlin

AbstractObjective:Cerebrospinal fluid leakage is the most common complication of endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery. However, there is no uniformly accepted way of managing this complication when it occurs intra-operatively. This paper describes a quick, simple technique, involving layered fibrin glue and gelatin sponge, which does not compromise post-operative patient follow up.Method:Retrospective review of all endoscopic pituitary surgery cases conducted at a single institution since the introduction of this technique in 2002.Results:A total of 120 endoscopic pituitary operations were performed (96 primary procedures and 24 revisions). All intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leaks were managed using the described method, with a failure rate of 3.6 per cent. The overall post-operative leakage rate was 1.7 per cent.Conclusion:This simple, conservative technique avoids the need for further dissection and the use of non-absorbable foreign material, and has a low incidence of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leakage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish N. Shah ◽  
James A. Botros ◽  
Thomas K. Pilgram ◽  
Christopher J. Moran ◽  
DeWitte T. Cross ◽  
...  

Object The goal of this study was to determine the clinical course of Borden-Shucart Type I cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) and to calculate the annual rate of conversion of these lesions to more aggressive fistulas that have cortical venous drainage (CVD). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients harboring DAVFs who were seen at the authors' institution between 1997 and 2009. Twenty-three patients with Type I DAVFs who had available clinical follow-up were identified. Angiographic and clinical data from these patients were reviewed. Neurological outcome and status of presenting symptoms were assessed during long-term follow-up. Results Of the 23 patients, 13 underwent endovascular treatment for intolerable tinnitus or ophthalmological symptoms, and 10 did not undergo treatment. Three untreated patients died of unrelated causes. In those who were treated, complete DAVF obliteration was achieved in 4 patients, and palliative reduction in DAVF flow was achieved in 9 patients. Of the 19 patients without radiographic cure, no patient developed intracranial hemorrhage or nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits (NHNDs), and no patient died of DAVF-related causes over a mean follow-up of 5.6 years. One patient experienced a spontaneous, asymptomatic obliteration of a partially treated DAVF in late follow-up, and 2 patients experienced a symptomatic conversion of their DAVF to a higher-grade fistula with CVD in late follow-up. The annual rate of conversion to a higher-grade DAVF based on Kaplan-Meier cumulative event-free survival analysis was 1.0%. The annual rate of intracranial hemorrhage, NHND, and DAVF-related death was 0.0%. Conclusions A small number of Type I DAVFs will convert to more aggressive DAVFs with CVD over time. This conversion to a higher-grade DAVF is typically heralded by a change in patient symptoms. Follow-up vascular imaging is important, particularly in the setting of recurrent or new symptoms.


Author(s):  
AM Bueckert ◽  
J Pugh ◽  
T Snyder ◽  
M Wheatley ◽  
F Jacob ◽  
...  

Background: Dysembryoblastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) are benign tumors of the cerebral cortex that most commonly occur in children or young adults. Seizures are a frequent presenting feature, with an incidence of 80-100%, and are often an indication for surgical resection. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of children with DNETs who underwent epilepsy surgery between 1998 and 2014. Results: A total of 12 subjects were identified (6 males, 6 females), all of whom had seizures prior to surgical resection. Of these patients, 1 had infantile spasms, 2 had simple partial seizures and 10 had complex partial seizures. Tumors were located in the temporal (n=7), frontal (n=3) or parietal (n=2) cortex. These patients went on to have surgery on average 15 months after seizure onset, 3 had incomplete resections. At an average follow up of 6 years 4 months, all patients were class 1 on Engel’s Classification. All but one subject with rare non-disabling seizures were seizure free, with only 6 on medication. Follow up MR imaging revealed tumor recurrence in 1 subject. Conclusions: Despite differing seizure seminology and tumor location, surgical resection of these low-grade tumors resulted in excellent seizure outcome even in the setting of incomplete tumor resection.


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