A modified cytological technique for rapid differentiation of pituitary adenomas

1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex M. Landolt ◽  
Hugo Krayenbühl

✓ The toluidine blue technique for the cytological examination of pituitary tumors has been modified by the addition of orange G as cytoplasmatic stain. This combined method allows the differentiation of somatotropic, lactotropic, and endocrine inactive tumors in the rapid wet film technique.

1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Hill ◽  
James M. Falko ◽  
Charles B. Wilson ◽  
William E. Hunt

✓ Hyperthyroidism due to thyrotrophin (TSH)-secreting pituitary tumors is rare. Four cases are described, with the features that allow preoperative diagnosis. In all the patients, thyroid hormone production was consistently elevated despite antithyroid therapy, and TSH levels were inappropriately elevated. All patients were treated with both surgery and irradiation. Each patient had recurrent tumor with suprasellar, intrasphenoidal, or intraorbital spread. The combination of a recurrent, aggressive tumor complicated by thyrotoxicosis makes this a complex and difficult surgical problem.


1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
Kalman T. Kovacs ◽  
Edward R. Laws ◽  
Raymond V. Randall

✓ Pituitary adenomas may remain intrasellar or infiltrate dura and bone. Invasive adenomas are not considered to be malignant; in biological behavior they are between non-infiltrative adenomas and pituitary carcinomas. The latter are defined as tumors with subarachnoid, brain, or systemic metastasis. Invasion may be defined radiologically, operatively, or histologically. On the basis of operatively assessed tumor size and gross invasion of dura and bone as well as immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analysis of 365 pituitary adenomas, the following data were obtained. There were 23 growth hormone (GH)-cell adenomas: 14% microadenomas and 86% macroadenomas; their overall frequency of invasion was 50%. There were 24 prolactin (PRL)-cell adenomas: 33% microadenomas and 67% macroadenomas, with an overall frequency of invasion of 52%. Mixed GH-cell and PRL-cell adenomas were found in 35 cases; 26% were microadenomas and 74% were macroadenomas, and the overall frequency of invasion was 31%. Sixty patients had adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cell adenomas (Cushing's disease): 87% microadenomas and 13% macroadenomas; the overall frequency of invasion was 25% (in 8% of microadenomas and 62% of macroadenomas). Twenty patients had ACTH-cell adenomas (Nelson's syndrome): 30% microadenomas and 70% macroadenomas; the overall frequency of invasion in these cases was 50% (in 17% of microadenomas and 64% of macroadenomas). Silent ACTH-cell adenomas, 100% macroadenomas, were found in 11 patients, with an 82% frequency of invasion. There were 32 follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone adenomas, all macroadenomas, with a frequency of invasion of 21%. Four patients had thyroid-stimulating hormone adenomas, all macroadenomas, with a 75% frequency of invasion. Null-cell adenomas were found in 93 cases: 2% microadenomas and 98% macroadenomas, with a frequency of invasion of 42%. There were 63 plurihormonal adenomas (GH, PRL, glycoprotein): 25% microadenomas and 75% macroadenomas, with a 50% overall frequency of invasion. Based on this study, and on their usual frequency of occurrence, the estimated rate of gross invasion by pituitary adenomas of all types is approximately 35%. It is concluded that immunocytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of pituitary adenomas reflect the tendency of these tumors to infiltrate and hence may be of prognostic significance.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuo Hashimoto ◽  
Hajime Handa ◽  
Tatsuhito Yamagami

✓ Two years' experience with an extracapsular transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas is presented. Some pituitary tumors contain an inordinate amount of connective tissue that often makes transsphenoidal resection difficult. By opening the tumor capsule and adjacent arachnoid membrane, such tumors with suprasellar extension can be safely removed. In some cases of functioning adenoma, resection of the diaphragma sellae and adjacent arachnoid membrane results in hormonal control. Among 62 cases of transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, eight cases required this procedure. The surgical procedure is described and the cases are summarized. The indication and limitations of this procedure are discussed.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Nagashima ◽  
Judith A. Murovic ◽  
Takao Hoshino ◽  
Charles B. Wilson ◽  
Stephen J. DeArmond

✓ At the start of transsphenoidal microsurgery for removal of various types of pituitary adenomas, 21 patients received a 1-hour intravenous infusion of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR, 200 mg/sq m) to label tumor cells in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis phase (S-phase). Excised tumor specimens were fixed in 70% ethanol and stained by the indirect peroxidase method using anti-BUdR monoclonal antibody as the first antibody. The percentage of BUdR-labeled cells, or S-phase fraction, was calculated for each specimen. The S-phase fraction was less than 0.1% in nine cases, 0.1% to 0.5% in seven, and greater than 0.5% in five. Except in two cases of Nelson's syndrome, in which it was greater than 1%, the S-phase fraction did not correlate with any other variable, including patient age, tumor size, or the duration of signs and symptoms. The small S-phase fraction of most of the pituitary adenomas correlates well with the clinical behavior of these tumors, which grow much more slowly than other kinds of brain tumors such as gliomas. However, the S-phase fractions varied by as much as one order of magnitude. The higher S-phase fractions may reflect aggressive and invasive growth. These results indicate that immunohistochemical studies of cell kinetics using BUdR and anti-BUdR monoclonal antibodies may provide information about the biological characteristics of pituitary adenomas which could lead to the design of appropriate treatment regimens (including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) for individual patients.


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Kepes ◽  
Robert A. Morantz ◽  
Anna Marie England

✓ The authors recommend the use of a reticulin stain for frozen sections to differentiate between astrocytomas and neurilemmomas during surgery. This technique was first described for the diagnosis of pituitary adenomas.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Kobayashi ◽  
Yoshimasa Mori ◽  
Yukio Uchiyama ◽  
Yoshihisa Kida ◽  
Shigeru Fujitani

Object. The authors conducted a study to determine the long-term results of gamma knife surgery for residual or recurrent growth hormine (GH)—producing pituitary adenomas and to compare the results with those after treatment of other pituitary adenomas. Methods. The series consisted of 67 patients. The mean tumor diameter was 19.2 mm and volume was 5.4 cm3. The mean maximum dose was 35.3 Gy and the mean margin dose was 18.9 Gy. The mean follow-up duration was 63.3 months (range 13–142 months). The tumor resolution rate was 2%, the response rate 68.3%, and the control rate 100%. Growth hormone normalization (GH < 1.0 ng/ml) was found in 4.8%, nearly normal (< 2.0 ng/ml) in 11.9%, significantly decreased (< 5.0 ng/ml) in 23.8%, decreased in 21.4%, unchanged in 21.4%, and increased in 16.7%. Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)—1 was significantly decreased (IGF-1 < 400 ng/ml) in 40.7%, decreased in 29.6%, unchanged in 18.5%, and increased in 11.1%, which was almost parallel to the GH changes. Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery was effective and safe for the control of tumors; however, normalization of GH and IGF-1 secretion was difficult to achieve in cases with large tumors and low-dose radiation. Gamma knife radiosurgery is thus indicated for small tumors after surgery or medication therapy when a relatively high-dose radiation is required.


2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe C. Watson ◽  
Constantine A. Stratakis ◽  
Peter K. Bryant-Greenwood ◽  
Christian A. Koch ◽  
Lawrence S. Kirschner ◽  
...  

Object. The authors present their neurosurgical experience with Carney complex. Carney complex, characterized by spotty skin pigmentation, cardiac myxomas, primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease, pituitary tumors, and nerve sheath tumors (NSTs), is a recently described, rare, autosomal-dominant familial syndrome that is relatively unknown to neurosurgeons. Neurosurgery is required to treat pituitary adenomas and a rare NST, the psammomatous melanotic schwannoma (PMS), in patients with Carney complex. Cushing's syndrome, a common component of the complex, is caused by primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and is not secondary to an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma.Methods. The authors reviewed 14 cases of Carney complex, five from the literature and nine from their own experience. Of the 14 pituitary adenomas recognized in association with Carney complex, 12 developed growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion (producing gigantism in two patients and acromegaly in 10), and results of immunohistochemical studies in one of the other two were positive for GH. The association of PMSs with Carney complex was established in 1990. Of the reported tumors, 28% were associated with spinal nerve sheaths. The spinal tumors occurred in adults (mean age 32 years, range 18–49 years) who presented with pain and radiculopathy. These NSTs may be malignant (10%) and, as with the cardiac myxomas, are associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality.Conclusions. Because of the surgical comorbidity associated with cardiac myxoma and/or Cushing's syndrome, recognition of Carney complex has important implications for perisurgical patient management and family screening. Study of the genetics of Carney complex and of the biological abnormalities associated with the tumors may provide insight into the general pathobiological abnormalities associated with the tumors may provide insight into the general pathobiological features of pituitary adenomas and NSTs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 753-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Ratliff ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield

Object. Clinically evident multiple pituitary adenomas rarely occur. The authors assess the incidence and clinical relevance of multiple adenomas in Cushing's disease.Methods. A prospective clinical database of 660 pituitary surgeries was analyzed to assess the incidence of multiple pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease. Relevant radiographic scans, medical records, and histopathological reports were reviewed.Thirteen patients with at least two separate histopathologically confirmed pituitary adenomas were identified. Prolactinomas (nine patients) were the most common incidental tumors. Other incidental tumors included secretors of growth hormone ([GH], one patient) and GH and prolactin (two patients), and a null-cell tumor (one patient). In two patients, early repeated surgery was performed because the initial operation failed to correct hypercortisolism, in one instance because the tumor excised at the initial surgery was a prolactinoma, not an adrenocorticotropic hormone—secreting tumor. One patient had three distinct tumors.Conclusions. Multiple pituitary adenomas are rare, but may complicate management of patients with pituitary disease.


1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 927-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe C. Watson ◽  
Thomas H. Shawker ◽  
Lynnette K. Nieman ◽  
Hetty L. DeVroom ◽  
John L. Doppman ◽  
...  

Object. Pituitary surgery has been reported to produce remission of Cushing's disease with preservation of pituitary function in only 60 to 70% of patients. The inability to identify an adenoma accounts for most failed sellar explorations. Most negative surgical explorations occur in patients in whom magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the pituitary demonstrates normal findings, which happens in at least 35 to 45% of patients with Cushing's disease. Methods. To examine the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) for identifying an adenoma in patients with no demonstrable tumor (negative findings) on pituitary MR imaging, we prospectively assessed the results of IOUS in 68 patients with a negative (59 patients) or equivocal (nine patients) MR image from a consecutive series of 107 patients with Cushing's disease (64%). We compared surgical findings and outcomes in these 68 patients with a group of 68 patients with Cushing's disease and negative findings on MR imaging in whom IOUS was not available. Intraoperative ultrasonography localized a tumor in 47 (69%) of 68 patients with negative findings on MR imaging. Surprisingly, the size of the adenomas that were detected with IOUS compared with the size of those not detected did not differ (6.8 ± 3.4 mm compared with 6.1 ± 2.8 mm [mean ± standard deviation], respectively [p = 0.5]). In four patients, no adenoma was found at surgery or in the pathological specimen (“true negative”). In eight patients, nine abnormalities detected by IOUS that were suspected adenomas were negative on exploration (“false positive”). Thus, IOUS has a sensitivity of 73% and a positive predictive value of 84% for detecting pituitary adenomas in patients with Cushing's disease and negative findings on MR imaging. Compared with the 68 patients who did not undergo IOUS, remission after surgery was improved (61 patients [90%] compared with 57 patients [84%]), the number of tumors found on exploration was increased (61 tumors compared with 51 tumors; p = 0.02), and the number of hemihypophysectomies was decreased (five compared with 15; p = 0.02) with IOUS. When the groups were compared after excluding patients with prior pituitary surgery, tumors were found in 91% versus 72% (p = 0.008), and remission occurred in 95% versus 87% of patients, respectively, in the groups that had or did not have IOUS. Conclusions. The IOUS is a sensitive imaging modality when used in patients with Cushing's disease in whom findings on pituitary MR imaging are negative. The improved ability to detect and localize these tumors by using IOUS positively affects surgical outcome.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Sanno ◽  
Akira Teramoto ◽  
R. Yoshiyuki Osamura

Object. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare lesions of the endocrinological system. Although introduction of a hypersensitive radioimmunoassay for thyrotropin enables the recognition of inappropriate secretion of this hormone, the aforementioned lesions remain uncommon and unfamiliar to most neurosurgeons. It has been reported previously that surgical cure of thyrotropin-secreting adenomas is more difficult than in other functional adenomas because of the large size and invasive features of the former. However, the long-term outcome after surgery has not been well documented. The authors report on a surgical series of 16 patients with thyrotropin adenoma and the results of long-term follow up.Methods. Sixteen patients ages 23 to 62 years (12 women and four men) underwent transsphenoidal removal of thyrotropin adenomas between 1983 and 1999. These patients had the syndrome of inappropriate thyrotropin secretion (SITS) with pituitary mass lesions. Four of the patients had undergone previous subtotal thyroidectomy and/or radioiodine thyroid ablation, and 11 had been treated with antithyroid medication. Radiological investigations demonstrated macroadenomas in 14 patients, and 10 of those had cavernous sinus invasion. Surgical findings showed unusually fibrous and firm tumors in 13 (81.2%) of 16 patients. Preoperative octreotide administration was revealed to be effective for serum thyrotropin reduction as well as tumor shrinkage. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed with no morbidity resulting. Surgical remission was achieved in 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients, and total remission was achieved in 14 patients (87.5%) with a combination of additional radiation or medical therapy. In the other two patients, SITS persisted because of tumor rests in the cavernous sinus. Therefore, radiation and/or antithyroid therapy was administered. In the mean follow-up period of 7.5 years (range 11 months–15.8 years), no recurrence of tumor was observed on magnetic resonance images, whereas recurrence of SITS was found in two patients with no tumor regrowth. In addition, coexistent primary hyperthyroidism was found in two other patients despite remission of SITS after surgery.Conclusions. Transsphenoidal surgery can achieve a good long-term outcome in patients with thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas if surgery is performed before these become larger, invasive tumors. In the authors' experience, thyrotropin-secreting adenomas are fibrous and firm, which makes it difficult to achieve surgical remission. In addition, even satisfactory resection of the tumor sometimes results in recurrence of SITS or hyperthyroid symptoms due to coexistent primary hyperthyroidism. It is emphasized that a careful follow-up review is necessary after surgery, especially in patients with a long preoperative history of hyperthyroidism.


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