Retraction system for transsphenoidal surgery

1985 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeaki Kobayashi ◽  
Kenichiro Sugita ◽  
Toshiki Takemae ◽  
Yoshio Tanizaki

✓ A retraction system has been developed for transsphenoidal surgery to use together with a conventional self-retaining speculum. The system comprises an attachment to the speculum, a self-retaining retractor, and a slim tapered brain spatula and pronged hook. The spatula or hook is secured with the self-retaining retractor and the attachment. The retractor can also be fixed to the Sugita multipurpose head frame. The system may be used to retract the bulging diaphragma sellae and tumor tissues, and to stop bleeding from the dural venous sinus or tumor bed, so the surgeon can continue the procedure with both hands.

1971 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berkley L. Rish

✓ Military surgical experience with acute wounds of the dural venous sinuses is reviewed. A new technique, autogenous venorrhaphy, is described and reported as the method used in 10 Vietnam combat casualties.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian K. Owler ◽  
Geoffrey Parker ◽  
G. Michael Halmagyi ◽  
Victoria G. Dunne ◽  
Verity Grinnell ◽  
...  

Object. Pseudotumor cerebri, or benign intracranial hypertension, is a condition of raised intracranial pressure in the absence of a mass lesion or cerebral edema. It is characterized by headache and visual deterioration that may culminate in blindness. Pseudotumor cerebri is caused by venous sinus obstruction in an unknown percentage of cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cerebral venous sinus disease in pseudotumor cerebri and the potential of endoluminal venous sinus stent placement as a new treatment. Methods. Nine consecutive patients in whom diagnoses of pseudotumor cerebri had been made underwent examination with direct retrograde cerebral venography (DRCV) and manometry to characterize the morphological features and venous pressures in their cerebral venous sinuses. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was measured simultaneously in two patients. If patients had an amenable lesion they were treated using an endoluminal venous sinus stent. Five patients demonstrated morphological obstruction of the venous transverse sinuses (TSs). All lesions were associated with a distinct pressure gradient and raised proximal venous sinus pressures. Four patients underwent stent insertion in the venous sinuses and reported that their headaches improved immediately after the procedure and remained so at 6 months. Vision was improved in three patients, whereas it remained poor in one despite normalized CSF pressures. Conclusions. Patients with pseudotumor cerebri should be evaluated with DRCV and manometry because venous TS obstruction is probably more common than is currently appreciated. In patients with a lesion of the venous sinuses, treatment with an endoluminal venous sinus stent is a viable alternative for amenable lesions.


2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 804-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Griffith R. Harsh ◽  
Thomas S. Deisboeck ◽  
David N. Louis ◽  
John Hilton ◽  
Michael Colvin ◽  
...  

Object. The gene therapy paradigm of intratumoral activation of ganciclovir (GCV) following transduction of tumor cells by retroviral vectors bearing the thymidine kinase (tk) gene has produced dramatic remissions of malignant gliomas in animal models. In human trials, although the technique has been deemed safe, little antitumor effect has been demonstrated. To evaluate the basis of this inefficacy in human gliomas, the authors conducted a gene-marking trial involving neuropathological and biochemical studies of treated tumor specimens.Methods. Five patients with malignant recurrent gliomas underwent stereotactic biopsy sampling and intratumoral implantation procedures with three aliquots of 106 vector-producing cells (VPCs) in columns. After 5 days, the tumor was resected and the tumor bed reimplanted with VPCs, and a course of GCV was given. Patients received clinical and radiological follow up for 6 months. Tumor specimens were analyzed neuropathologically and for tk gene expression by anti-TK immunohistochemistry and TK enzymatic activity.Four patients tolerated the treatment well but experienced tumor progression. The other developed an abscess after the second operation and died. Increased TK enzymatic activity was demonstrated in the one tumor specimen analyzed. Immunohistochemical evidence of tk gene expression was limited to VPCs. Transduction of tumor cells was not seen. Viable tumor cells were seen near VPCs containing TK. The lymphocytic immune response was mild.Conclusions. Except for the risk of infection inherent in reoperation, this tk—GCV paradigm was both feasible and safe. Pathological studies indicated that limited dissemination of VPCs and vector from the infusion site and failure to transduce tumor cells with the tk gene are major barriers to efficacy.


2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Höybye ◽  
Eva GrenbäcK ◽  
Marja Thorén ◽  
Anna-Lena Hulting ◽  
Lars Lundblad ◽  
...  

Object. Cushing disease is a rare disorder. Because of their small size the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)—producing tumors are often not detectable on neuroimaging studies. To obtain a cure with transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) may therefore be difficult. In this report the authors present 10 years of experience in the treatment of patients with Cushing disease who were followed up with the same protocol and treated by the same surgeon. Methods. Thirty-four patients, 26 of them female and eight of them male (mean age 40 years, range 13–74 years) were studied. All had obvious clinical signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in all patients, and inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) sampling was done in 14. In 12 patients MR imaging indicated a pituitary tumor; 10 were microadenomas and two were macroadenomas. In six patients with no visible tumor, the results of IPS sampling supported the diagnosis. All patients underwent TSS; the mean follow-up duration was 6 ± 0.5 years. Selective adenomectomy was performed in 32 and hemihypophysectomy in the other two patients. A cure was obtained in 31 patients (91%) after one TSS and in two more patients after further TSS; one patient was not cured despite two TSSs and one underwent bilateral adrenalectomy. Disease recurrence was seen in two patients after 3 years, and they were successfully treated with stereotactic gamma knife surgery. Half of the patients had an ACTH deficiency postoperatively, whereas one third had other pituitary hormone insufficiencies. There were no serious complications attributable to the surgical intervention. Conclusions. Transsphenoidal surgery with selective adenomectomy is an effective and safe treatment for Cushing disease. In the patients presented in this study, the surgical outcome seemed to depend on careful preoperative evaluation and the surgeon's experience. For optimal results in this rare disease the authors therefore suggest that the endocrinological, radiological, and surgical procedures be coordinated in a specialized center.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 738-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas M. Sheehan ◽  
Mary L. Vance ◽  
Jason P. Sheehan ◽  
Dilantha B. Ellegala ◽  
Edward R. Laws

Object. Although transsphenoidal surgery has become the standard of care for Cushing's disease, it is often unsuccessful in normalizing cortisol production. In this study the authors investigate the safety and efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for Cushing's disease after failed transsphenoidal surgery.Methods. The records of all patients who underwent GKRS at the authors' institution after unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease were retrospectively reviewed. Successful treatment was considered a normal or below-normal 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) level. Records were also evaluated for relapse, new-onset endocrine deficiencies, interval change in tumor size, and visual complications.Forty-three patients underwent 44 gamma knife procedures with follow up ranging from 18 to 113 months (mean 39.1, median 44 months). Normal 24-hour UFC levels were achieved in 27 patients (63%) at an average time from treatment of 12.1 months (range 3–48 months). Three patients had a recurrence of Cushing's disease at 19, 37, and 38 months, respectively, after radiosurgery. New endocrine deficiencies were noted in seven patients (16%). Follow-up magnetic resonance images obtained in 33 patients revealed a decrease in tumor size in 24, no change in nine, and an increase in size in none of the patients. One patient developed a quadrantanopsia 14 months after radiosurgery despite having received a dose of only 0.7 Gy to the optic tract.Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of Cushing's disease refractory to pituitary surgery. Delayed recurrences and new hormone deficiencies may occur, indicating the necessity for regular long-term follow up.


1972 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sixto Obrador

✓ A case of empty sella syndrome due to a benign intrasellar cyst leads the author to a review of variations in this syndrome. Association with intrasellar diverticuli of the subarachnoid space, deficiencies of the diaphragma sellae, and small pituitary glands are identified. Its relationship with certain headaches in women and to unexplained nontraumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea are discussed.


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.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 897-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Arita ◽  
Kaoru Kurisu ◽  
Atushi Tominaga ◽  
Kazuhiko Sugiyama ◽  
Fusao Ikawa ◽  
...  

✓ The authors treated two patients with pituitary apoplexy in whom magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained before and after the episode. Two days after the apoplectic episodes, MR imaging demonstrated marked thickening of the mucosa of the sphenoid sinus that was absent in the previous studies. The relevance of this change in the sphenoid sinus was investigated. Retrospective evaluations were performed using MR images obtained in 14 consecutive patients with classic pituitary apoplexy characterized by acute onset of severe headache. The mucosa of the sphenoid sinus had thickened predominantly in the compartment just beneath the sella turcica, in nine of 11 patients, as ascertained on MR images obtained within 7 days after the onset of apoplectic symptoms. This condition improved spontaneously in all four patients who did not undergo transsphenoidal surgery. The sphenoid sinus mucosa appeared to be normal on MR images obtained from three patients at the chronic stage (> 3 months after onset). The incidence of sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening during the acute stage was significantly higher in the patients with apoplexy than that in the 100 patients without apoplexy. A histological study conducted in four patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery during the early stage showed that the subepithelial layer of the sphenoid sinus mucous membrane was obviously swollen. The sphenoid sinus mucosa thickens during the acute stage of pituitary apoplexy. This thickening neither indicates infectious sinusitis nor rules out the choice of the transsphenoidal route for surgery.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 1097-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Edward R. Laws

✓ The development of new scientific concepts and techniques is usually the result of a progressive evolution. The transsphenoidal approach to pituitary lesions is no exception. Several pioneers contributed to its development and its eventual and nearly unconditional acceptance. In this historical vignette, the contributions of three master surgeons, Theodor Kocher, Oskar Hirsch, and Norman Dott, are reviewed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma Hernandez ◽  
Daniela Soderlund ◽  
Ana Laura Espinosa-de-los-Monteros ◽  
Raquel Ochoa ◽  
Arturo Zarate ◽  
...  

Object. The high-affinity growth hormone—binding protein (GHBP) represents the extracellular portion of the growth hormone (GH) receptor, and its serum levels are a reflection of the tissue receptor status. Levels of GHBP are decreased in patients with active acromegaly, probably because of downregulation of GH receptors. However, there are no studies of patients with acromegaly in which the effects of medical (that is, administration of somatostatin analogs) and surgical therapy on GHBP levels have been compared. That is the task the authors set out to accomplish in this study.Methods. The authors studied seven patients in whom acromegaly had been recently diagnosed. They examined these patients at baseline, 2 months after octreotide treatment (subcutaneous administration of 100 µg octreotide three times per day), and 1 month after transsphenoidal surgery. Growth hormone—binding activity was measured, as well as the following biochemical markers of the somatotropic axis: GH suppression induced by oral administration of glucose, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor—binding protein-3 (IGFBP3). Although octreotide treatment induced a decrease in the levels of GH, IGF-I, and IGFBP3, as well as an increase in the level of GHBP, these biochemical markers did not reach normal levels. On the other hand, after transsphenoidal surgery, GHBP levels became normal, particularly in those patients in whom serum GH could be suppressed to an undetectable level after glucose loading.Conclusions. The authors conclude that persistently low GHBP levels in patients with acromegaly are normalized by successful pituitary surgery and correlate well with disease activity.


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