The proliferative potential of human pituitary tumors in situ

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Nagashima ◽  
Judith A. Murovic ◽  
Takao Hoshino ◽  
Charles B. Wilson ◽  
Stephen J. DeArmond
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Phase Fraction ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
Human Pituitary ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Preoperative Diagnosis ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Recurrent Tumor ◽  
Hormone Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aggressive Tumor ◽  
Tsh Levels ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

Pathology of invasive pituitary tumors with special reference to functional classification

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
Kalman T. Kovacs ◽  
Edward R. Laws ◽  
Raymond V. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Null Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acth Cell ◽  
Ultrastructural Characteristics ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

Transsphenoidal extracapsular approach to pituitary tumors

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuo Hashimoto ◽  
Hajime Handa ◽  
Tatsuhito Yamagami
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Arachnoid Membrane ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tumor Capsule ◽  
Suprasellar Extension ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Transsphenoidal Resection

✓ 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.

A modified cytological technique for rapid differentiation of pituitary adenomas

1972 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex M. Landolt ◽  
Hugo Krayenbühl
Keyword(s):  
Toluidine Blue ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Combined Method ◽  
Cytological Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Orange G ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

Prognostic value of flow cytometry and correlation to some conventional prognostic factors: a retrospective study of archival specimens of 134 astrocytomas

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludek Vavruch ◽  
Bo Nordenskjöld ◽  
John Carstensen ◽  
Sverker Eneström
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Dna Ploidy ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Phase Fraction ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
Grade Of Malignancy ◽  
Dna Pattern ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The S-phase fraction and the DNA ploidy type in 134 astrocytomas (18 Grade II, 46 Grade III, and 70 Grade IV astrocytomas) were studied using flow cytometry in a retrospective study of archival tumor specimens. A high grade of malignancy was associated with both a high S-phase fraction (p < 0.0001) and an aneuploid DNA pattern (p < 0.0001). There was no aneuploid DNA pattern found in the fibrillary astrocytomas (World Health Organization (WHO) Grade II); whereas the aneuploid pattern was observed in 80% of all the glioblastomas multiforme (WHO Grade IV). The age and gender of the patients were not significantly related to the flow cytometry parameters. The survival of patients with Grade II or III astrocytomas was significantly longer when their tumors exhibited a tetraploid DNA pattern or had a low S-phase fraction. In patients with Grade IV tumors, there was no correlation between length of survival and either the DNA ploidy or the S-phase fraction. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis of data obtained in patients with Grade II and III astrocytomas, age, grade of malignancy, DNA ploidy, and S-phase fraction were independent prognostic factors.

Stent-assisted angioplasty of intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis: an initial experience

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 771-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Rasmussen ◽  
John Perl ◽  
John D. Barr ◽  
Georges Z. Markarian ◽  
Irene Katzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Antiplatelet Agents ◽  
Posterior Circulation ◽  
Occlusive Disease ◽  
Stent Insertion ◽  
Initial Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Artery ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) atherosclerotic occlusive disease have few therapeutic options. Unfortunately, VBA transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) herald a lethal or devastating event within 5 years in 25 to 30% of patients. The authors report their initial experience with eight patients in whom medically refractory TIAs secondary to intracranial posterior circulation atherosclerotic occlusive lesions were treated with stent-assisted angioplasty.Methods. Eight patients (six men), ranging in age from 43 to 77 years, experienced signs and symptoms of VBA insufficiency despite combination therapy with warfarin and antiplatelet agents. Angiographic studies revealed severe distal vertebral (four patients), proximal basilar (one patient), or proximal and midbasilar stenoses (three patients). Aspirin and clopidogrel were administered for 3 days before primary angioplasty and stent placement, and this regimen was maintained by the patients on discharge. Patients underwent heparinization during the procedure and were given a bolus and 12-hour infusion of abciximab. A neurologist specializing in stroke evaluated all patients before and after the procedure.The VBAs in all patients were successfully revascularized with 7 to 28% residual stenosis. Six patients experienced no neurological complications. One patient died the evening of the procedure due to a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage. Two patients had groin hematomas, one developed congestive heart failure, and one had transient encephalopathy. All surviving patients are asymptomatic up to 8 months postoperatively.Conclusions. Although primary intracranial VBA angioplasty with stent insertion is technically feasible, complications associated with the procedure can be life threatening. As experience is gained with this procedure, it may be offered routinely as an alternative therapy to patients with medically refractory posterior circulation occlusive disease that may develop into catastrophic VBA insufficiency.

Diagnosis and management of pituitary abscess: a review of twenty-four cases

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Edward Vates ◽  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
Charles B. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Cystic Mass ◽  
Pituitary Abscess ◽  
Pituitary Mass ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Changes ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Pituitary abscess is a rare but serious intrasellar infection. To better determine the salient signs and symptoms that help in making the diagnosis, and to determine the most appropriate treatment, the authors reviewed their experience in a series of 24 patients treated at the University of California at San Francisco. Methods. Nine of the patients were female and 15 were male, and their mean age was 41.2 years (range 12–71 years). Surprisingly, most patients in our series presented with complaints and physical findings consistent with a pituitary mass, but rarely with evidence of a serious infection. Headache, endocrine abnormalities, and visual changes were the most common clinical indicators; fever, peripheral leukocytosis, and meningismus were present in 33% or fewer of the patients. Imaging tests demonstrated a pituitary mass in all patients, but the features evident on computerized tomography and magnetic resonance studies did not distinguish pituitary abscesses from other, more common intrasellar lesions. Because of the ambiguous clinical features and imaging findings, most abscesses were not diagnosed before treatment; rather, the diagnosis was made during surgical exploration of the sella turcica, when the surgeon encountered a cystic mass containing pus. There were only two deaths in this series (8.3%). Patients presenting with headache and visual changes noted improvement in almost all cases; patients with endocrine dysfunction generally did not recover normal pituitary function, but were easily treated with hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions. Antibiotic therapy is suggested for patients who have symptoms of sepsis, or for patients in whom specific organisms are identified from cultures obtained during surgery. The transsphenoidal approach is recommended over open craniotomy for surgical drainage.

Reticulin stain in differentiating astrocytomas from neurilemmomas on frozen sections

1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Kepes ◽  
Robert A. Morantz ◽  
Anna Marie England
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Frozen Sections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ 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.

Management of proximal shunt obstruction

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles C. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Shunt Failure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow ◽  
Shunt Obstruction ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Proximal shunt obstruction or obstruction of the ventricular catheter may present with signs and symptoms of shunt failure with either no cerebrospinal fluid flow or a falsely low intracranial pressure (ICP) upon shunt tap. The author reports a technique for lowering the ICP and for measuring the pressure in patients with such obstruction by cannulation of the reservoir and ventricular catheter to penetrate into the ventricle with a 3½-in. No. 22 spinal needle. The findings in 20 cases in which this approach was utilized are summarized.

Long-term results of gamma knife surgery for growth hormone—producing pituitary adenoma: is the disease difficult to cure?

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Kobayashi ◽  
Yoshimasa Mori ◽  
Yukio Uchiyama ◽  
Yoshihisa Kida ◽  
Shigeru Fujitani
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dose Radiation ◽  
Fine Print

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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