Thyrotrophin-producing pituitary adenomas

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.


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.


1981 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Rosegay

✓ Cushing's experience with the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and other lesions producing the chiasmal syndrome is reviewed. The conclusion is that his ultimate rejection of the transsphenoidal route was not due to his dissatisfaction with this procedure, but rather came about because the transfrontal route provided him with access to the pituitary and, at the same time, enabled him to verify all suprasellar tumors if the preoperative diagnosis was uncertain. Until he gave it up in 1929, Cushing used the transsphenoidal route preferentially when the sella was large. Some of his assistants in the clinic, notably Norman Dott, came away with a high and lasting regard for the operation, and Dott's subsequent influence on Gérard Guiot is a crucial link in the return of transsphenoidal surgery to its current preeminent position.


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.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Izawa ◽  
Motohiro Hayashi ◽  
Kohtarou Nakaya ◽  
Hiroyuki Satoh ◽  
Taku Ochiai ◽  
...  

Object. The purpose of this study was the analysis of a large series of patients treated with gamma knife radiosurgery for pituitary adenoma in a single institution. Methods. One hundred eight patients with pituitary adenomas were treated over the last 7 years. Seventy-four patients have been followed for more than 6 months and form the basis of this report. Conclusions. Twenty-three patients harbored nonfunctioning adenomas, and 56 harbored functioning adenomas. The mean margin dose was 22.5 Gy (nonfunctioning adenomas, 19.5 Gy; functioning adenomas, 23.8 Gy). Control of tumor growth was achieved in 91%. A significant decrease of excessive hormone production was seen in 80% of patients, and the endocrinological normalization rate was 30.3%. Postradiosurgical complications were seen in 2.5%.


1977 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 601-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Domingue ◽  
Charles B. Wilson

✓ Seven cases of pituitary abscess are presented and the relevant world literature is reviewed. An enlarged sella co-existing with bacterial meningitis, or bacterial meningitis coinciding with a known or suspected pituitary tumor should suggest the diagnosis of pituitary abscess. Visual field defects should evoke similar suspicion when present in a patient with meningitis. This reasoning enabled us to make the first reported preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess. Therefore, in the management of purulent meningitis, we recommend the following: first, skull films are mandatory; second, if the sella turcica is abnormal, the correct presumptive diagnosis is pituitary abscess; and third, if prompt improvement does not follow appropriate antibiotic therapy, the suspected abscess should be explored and drained via the transsphenoidal approach.


1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan C. Grabel ◽  
Raphael Davis ◽  
Rosario Zappulla

✓ The case presented is of a patient with an intervertebral disc space cyst producing recurrent radicular pain following microdiscectomy in the lumbar region. Difficulties with the preoperative diagnosis of this and other recurrent radicular syndromes are discussed, and a review of the relevant literature is presented.


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.


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