Treatment of acromegaly by transsphenoidal microsurgery

1976 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 677-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo A. Giovanelli ◽  
Enrico D. F. Motti ◽  
Alessandra Paracchi ◽  
Paolo Beck-Peccoz ◽  
Bruno Ambrosi ◽  
...  

✓ The preoperative outlook and surgical results are evaluated in 29 acromegalic patients, employing the usual serum growth hormone (GH) screening techniques in association with GH response to the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test. Results obtained by transsphenoidal microsurgical technique in adenomas of different size and sellar morphology are reported. Overall results clearly favor selective microsurgery in early diagnosed and operated tumors (microadenomas), while a less than radical approach does not hold much promise of functional normalization in larger adenomas. In nonnormalized cases the efficacy of radiotherapy is stressed. The TRH test results were a good indication for radiation therapy even in those cases in which GH normalized after surgery by common assay methods.

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Sisti ◽  
Abraham Kader ◽  
Bennett M. Stein

✓ The surgical outcome in a series of small arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) that might have been considered optimal for radiosurgery is reviewed. In a total microsurgical series of 360 patients, 67 (19%) underwent resection of AVM's less than 3 cm in largest diameter, regardless of location. Many of these lesions (45%) were in locations that might be considered surgically inaccessible such as the thalamus, brain stem, medial hemisphere, and paraventricular regions. Complete angiographic obliteration of the AVM by microsurgical technique was accomplished in 63 patients (94%) with a surgical morbidity of 1.5% and no operative mortality. Patients with hemispheric AVM's had a cure rate of 100% and no neurological morbidity. Stereotactically guided craniotomy was used in 14 patients (21%) to locate and resect deep or concealed malformations. The results from five major radiosurgery centers treating similar-sized AVM's are analyzed. The authors' surgical results compare favorably with those from radiosurgery centers which, in their opinion, supports the conclusion that microneurosurgery is superior to radiosurgery, except for a small percentage of lesions that are truly inoperable on the basis of inaccessibility.


1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeru Genka ◽  
Hitoshi Soeda ◽  
Manabu Takahashi ◽  
Hideki Katakami ◽  
Naoko Sanno ◽  
...  

✓ The case of a 52-year-old woman with acromegaly, diabetes insipidus, and visual impairment caused by a metastatic growth hormone—releasing hormone (GRH)—produced pancreatic tumor is reported. Serum growth hormone (GH) and somatomedin C levels were elevated to 14 ng/ml (normal < 5 ng/ml), and 3.20 U/ml (normal < 1.88 U/ml), respectively. Paradoxical increases were observed in GH levels after glucose tolerance and thyrotropin—releasing hormone-stimulation tests. Biopsy of a pituitary tumor observed on computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance studies revealed a metastatic cancer. When circulating GRH levels were measured, a marked increase in plasma GRH (1145 pg/ml; normal < 4—1 pg/ml) was observed. The patient died of cachexia due to metastases. Postmortem examination revealed that a primary tumor, a malignant endocrine lesion, was present in the pancreas, with metastatic tumors in the pituitary, lung, liver, and adrenal glands. Synthesis and production of GRH by the tumor was demonstrated by Northern blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The pituitary gland showed hyperplastic, but not adenomatous changes. The authors stress the importance of both exploration for an ectopic source of GRH and the search for a GH-producing pituitary adenoma when unusual signs and symptoms are seen in patients with acromegaly.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredric B. Meyer ◽  
Thoralf M. Sundt ◽  
Bruce W. Pearson

✓ Carotid body tumors are a rare but potentially difficult surgical entity. Their pathology, physiology, and natural history are reviewed along with surgical results reported in the literature. A surgical approach for removal of these tumors is presented which differs significantly from the recommended techniques in that emphasis is placed on intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow, the selective use of shunts, a tumor-adventitial plane of dissection, preservation of the carotid artery complex, and mobilization of the parotid gland. Thirteen cases using these techniques are reviewed. The mortality rate and the incidence of cerebrovascular sequelae were both 0%. The major morbidity consisted of injury to the lower cranial nerves in five patients (39%) with tumors larger than 5 cm in length.


1976 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carroll P. Osgood ◽  
Manuel Dujovny ◽  
Ronald Faille ◽  
Munir Abassy

✓ An improved microsurgical technique for lumbosacral ganglionectomy is described.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Esposito ◽  
Piervittorio Nardi

✓ Lipomas of the infundibulum are extremely rare and may not be recognized radiologically, even on computerized tomography (CT) scanning, if the tumor is less than 20 mm in diameter. A questionable CT diagnosis in the presence of endocrinological symptoms may justify an operation by microsurgical technique on the retrochiasmatic region. In the case reported, microsurgical removal of a small infundibular lipoma was successfully accomplished.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Matsushima ◽  
Koichiro Matsukado ◽  
Yoshihiro Natori ◽  
Takanori Inamura ◽  
Tsutomu Hitotsumatsu ◽  
...  

Object. The authors report on the surgical results they achieved in caring for patients with vertebral artery—posterior inferior cerebellar artery (VA—PICA) saccular aneurysms that were treated via either the transcondylar fossa (supracondylar transjugular tubercle) approach or the transcondylar approach. In this report they clarify the characteristics of and differences between these two lateral skull base approaches. They also present the techniques they used in performing the transcondylar fossa approach, especially the maneuver used to remove the jugular tubercle extradurally without injuring the atlantooccipital joint. Methods. Eight patients underwent surgery for VA—PICA saccular aneurysms (six ruptured and two unruptured ones) during which one of the two approaches was performed. Clinical data including neurological and radiological findings and reports of the operative procedures were analyzed. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to estimate the activities of daily living experienced by the patients. In all cases the aneurysm was successfully clipped and no permanent neurological deficits remained, except for one case of severe vasospasm. In seven of the eight patients, the transcondylar fossa approach provided a sufficient operative field for clipping the aneurysm without difficulty. In the remaining patient, in whom the aneurysm was located at the midline on the clivus at the level of the hypoglossal canal, the aneurysm could not be found by using the transcondylar fossa approach; thus, the route was changed to the transcondylar approach, and clipping was performed below the hypoglossal nerve rootlets. Conclusions. Both approaches offer excellent visualization and a wide working field, with ready access to the lesion. This remarkably reduces the risk of development of postoperative deficits. These approaches should be used properly: the transcondylar fossa approach is indicated for aneurysms located above the hypoglossal canal and the transcondylar approach is indicated for those located below it.


1972 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Crowell ◽  
Yngve Olsson

✓ Impairment of microvascular filling was demonstrated in relation to focal cerebral ischemia in the monkey. Temporary or sustained middle cerebral artery (MCA) clipping was achieved with a microsurgical technique. Animals were sacrificed by perfusion with a carbon black suspension. Brains were fixed in formalin, and the extent of microvascular carbon filling was estimated grossly and microscopically. In most animals, MCA occlusion of 2 hours to 7 days produced diminished filling in small vessels in the MCA territory of supply. The impairment of filling was most pronounced in the deep subcortical structures but also affected the cortex in some animals. Temporary and sustained occlusion of equal duration produced roughly equivalent areas of abnormal filling. The impairment of vascular filling tended to be more extensive with increasing duration of occlusion. Hypotension during MCA occlusion caused almost total non-filling of the microvasculature in the entire MCA territory. Impaired filling of vascular channels may play a role in the pathogenesis of some clinical cerebrovascular diseases.


1980 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Laws

✓ The rationale for the transsphenoidal approach in the surgical management of craniopharyngioma is presented, based on experience with 26 cases. In 14 patients without prior therapy, nine had “total” removal of the lesion, and only two had permanent postoperative diabetes insipidus. One operative death occurred in this group, and two patients had cerebrospinal fluid leaks. In 12 patients who had undergone prior craniotomy, successful palliation was accomplished, at least temporarily, in every case. Vision was improved postoperatively in 15 of the 16 patients who presented with visual loss. Enlargement of the sella by the tumor is the critical feature allowing for successful transsphenoidal management.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 814-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Wilson

✓ The author reviews his experience with surgical treatment of 1000 pituitary tumors, the majority of which were endocrine-active. The criteria of grading, the microsurgical technique used, and the postoperative results are presented. The mortality rate was 0.2% overall, with no deaths in the group of 774 patients with endocrine-active adenomas.


2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiharu Kawaguchi ◽  
Takeshi Oya ◽  
Yumiko Abe ◽  
Masahiko Kanamori ◽  
Hirokazu Ishihara ◽  
...  

Object. Spinal stenosis due to lumbar ossified lesions is a rare pathological entity. The authors retrospectively evaluated the clinical features and surgical results associated with cases involving lumbar ossified lesion—induced stenosis. Methods. Data obtained in 20 surgically treated patients with lumbar hyperostotic spinal stenosis were included. To evaluate the background of the disease, body mass index and general complications were assessed. Whole-spine radiological examination was conducted. The presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament or ossification of the ligamentum flavum was evaluated. Surgical results were classified according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale. In the patients in whom neurological deterioration was observed during follow up, the causes of deterioration were reviewed. Seven patients (35%) were obese and six patients (30%) suffered diabetes mellitus. Twelve patients harbored coexisting cervical and/or thoracic ossified lesions. The overall mean JOA score improved from 10.2 to a peak of 22.5; at last follow-up examination the mean JOA score was 20.9. In female and older patients with a long history of preoperative symptoms, a low preoperative JOA score, and other spinal lesions, recovery tended to be poorer. Recovery was poor in one patient, and neurological deterioration due to coexisting ossified spinal lesions occurred in another patient during the follow-up period. Conclusions. Because coexisting ossified lesions were frequently seen, whole-spine analysis is recommended. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important to achieve a better surgical outcome.


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