Radiosurgery and the prevention of regrowth of incompletely removed nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Picozzi ◽  
Marco Losa ◽  
Pietro Mortini ◽  
Micol Angela Valle ◽  
Alberto Franzin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Surgical Debulking ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors studied the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the prevention of regrowth of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NPA). Methods. One hundred nineteen patients were included in this study and were divided into two groups. All patients had undergone surgery in our department and recurrent or residual adenoma was demonstrated on postoperative MR imaging. Group A consisted of 68 patients who were followed without additional treatment. Group B was composed of 51 patients who received GKS within 1 year after microsurgery. There was no significant demographic difference between the two groups. In Group B the mean margin dose was 16.5 ± 0.3 Gy (range 13–21 Gy). Fifty one and one tenth percent of patients in Group A were recurrence free at 5 years and 89.8% in Group B (p < 0.001). In Group B patients, tumor volume decreased from a baseline value of 2.4 ± 0.2 cm3 to 1.6 ± 0.2 cm3 at last follow up (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that GKS is effective in controlling growth of residual NPA for at least 5 years following initial maximal surgical debulking compared with no radiation therapy. Thus, GKS is recommended after microsurgery when visible tumor can be detected on imaging studies.

Radiosurgery and the prevention of regrowth of incompletely removed nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Picozzi ◽  
Marco Losa ◽  
Pietro Mortini ◽  
Micol Angela Valle ◽  
Alberto Franzin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Surgical Debulking ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors studied the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the prevention of regrowth of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NPA). Methods. One hundred nineteen patients were included in this study and were divided into two groups. All patients had undergone surgery in our department and recurrent or residual adenoma was demonstrated on postoperative MR imaging. Group A consisted of 68 patients who were followed without additional treatment. Group B was composed of 51 patients who received GKS within 1 year after microsurgery. There was no significant demographic difference between the two groups. In Group B the mean margin dose was 16.5 ± 0.3 Gy (range 13–21 Gy). Fifty one and one tenth percent of patients in Group A were recurrence free at 5 years and 89.8% in Group B (p < 0.001). In Group B patients, tumor volume decreased from a baseline value of 2.4 ± 0.2 cm3 to 1.6 ± 0.2 cm3 at last follow up (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that GKS is effective in controlling growth of residual NPA for at least 5 years following initial maximal surgical debulking compared with no radiation therapy. Thus, GKS is recommended after microsurgery when visible tumor can be detected on imaging studies.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for primary management for trigeminal neuralgia

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 159-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Brisman
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Primary Management ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) as the primary rather than secondary management for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods. Eighty-two patients underwent GKS as their first neurosurgical intervention (Group A), and 90 patients underwent GKS following a different procedure (Group B). All GKS patients were treated with a maximum dose of 75 Gy. The single 4-mm isocenter was placed close to the junction of the trigeminal nerve and the brainstem. Six-month follow up was available for 126 patients and 12-month follow up for 84 patients. Excellent (no pain and no medicine) or good (at least 50% reduction in pain and less medicine) relief was more likely to occur in Group A than in Group B patients 6 and 12 months following GKS for trigeminal neuralgia (p = 0.058). Excellent or good results were also more likely in patients with trigeminal neuralgia without multiple sclerosis (MS) (p = 0.042). The number and type of procedures performed prior to GKS, the interval between the last procedure and GKS, and the interval from first symptom to GKS (within Groups A and B) did not affect 6-month outcome. The interval between first symptom and GKS was shorter in Group A patients without MS (87 months) than in Group B (148 months; p < 0.004). There were no significant differences between Group A and B patients with regard to sex, age, or laterality. Conclusions. Patients with trigeminal neuralgia who are treated with GKS as primary management have better pain relief than those treated with GKS as secondary management. Patients are more likely to have pain relief if they do not have MS.

Transsphenoidal microsurgical removal of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas

1982 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Baskin ◽  
James E. Boggan ◽  
Charles B. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Partial Remission ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Suprasellar Extension ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A series of 137 patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas were treated by transsphenoidal surgery during a 10-year period. Group A comprised patients for whom this surgery was the first therapeutic intervention, and Group B included those who underwent the surgery after previous therapeutic intervention. The results were analyzed considering preoperative and postoperative endocrinological, neurological, ophthalmological, and neuroradiological data. Remission was defined as clinical response and a normal postoperative GH level, and partial remission as clinical response and postoperative reduction of the GH level by more than 50%. Any other result was considered failure. The mean follow-up period was 37.1 months; follow-up review was achieved in all the patients. Among the 102 patients in Group A, remission was achieved in 80 (78%) patients with transsphenoidal surgery alone, and in an additional 16 (16%) after postoperative irradiation (combined response rate, 94%). All failures and patients with partial remission had preoperative GH levels of more than 50 ng/ml and suprasellar extension of the tumor. There were no deaths; 8% of patients had minor surgical morbidity; 5% had new hypopituitarism postoperatively. Of patients subsequently irradiated, 71% developed hypopituitarism. Among the 35 patients in Group B, remission was achieved in 26 (74%), partial remission was obtained in two (6%), and seven (20%) were considered treatment failures. There were no deaths, and the morbidity rate was 14%; 66% of patients had hypopituitarism postoperatively. Of the eight patients who had received prior irradiation only, seven (88%) went into remission. All failures and partial responders had preoperative GH levels greater than 40 ng/ml; 56% had suprasellar extension. These results confirm the efficacy of the transsphenoidal approach for the treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Radiosurgery for residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 408-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Sheehan ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
John Flickinger ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Invasion ◽  
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas comprise approximately 30% of all pituitary tumors. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and role of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the management of residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Methods. A review was conducted of the data obtained in 42 patients who underwent adjuvant GKS at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 2001. Prior treatments included transsphenoidal resection, craniotomy and resection, or conventional radiotherapy. Endocrinological, ophthalmological, and radiological responses were evaluated. The duration of follow-up review varied from 6 to 102 months (mean 31.2 months). Fifteen patients were observed for more than 40 months. The mean radiation dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy. Conformal radiosurgery planning was used to restrict the dose to the optic nerve and chiasm. Tumor control after GKS was achieved in 100% of patients with microadenomas and 97% of patients with macroadenomas. Gamma knife radiosurgery was equally effective in controlling adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion and suprasellar extension. No patient developed a new endocrinological deficiency following GKS. One patient's tumor enlarged with an associated decline in visual function. Another patient experienced a deterioration of visual fields despite a decrease in tumor size. Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery can achieve tumor control in virtually all residual or recurrent nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Dose sparing facilitates tumor management even when the adenoma is close to the optic apparatus or invades the cavernous sinus.

Comparison of syringopleural and syringosubarachnoid shunting in the treatment of syringomyelia in children

1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Vernet ◽  
Jean-Pierre Farmer ◽  
José L. Montes
Keyword(s):  
Spina Bifida ◽  
Chiari Malformation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spina Bifida Aperta ◽  
Group A ◽  
Chiari Ii ◽  
Chiari I ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Case records from the Montreal Children's Hospital containing the diagnosis of shunted syringomyelia were retrospectively reviewed. From 1984 to 1994, 31 patients had their syrinx treated by either syringopleural (19 cases, Group A) or syringosubarachnoid (13 cases, Group B) shunting. One patient was included in both groups. Associated diagnoses included: in Group A, two cases of Chiari I and 14 of Chiari II malformations, 14 cases of shunted hydrocephalus, 13 cases of spina bifida aperta, and three cases of spina bifida occulta; Group B, four cases of Chiari I and two of Chiari II malformations, four cases of shunted hydrocephalus, two cases of spina bifida aperta, and five cases of spina bifida occulta. Eight Group A and six Group B patients had undergone prior posterior fossa decompression. Motor deficits predominated in both groups and arachnoiditis was a uniform operative finding. Neurological follow-up examinations showed 11 Group A patients improved and eight stabilized, whereas on magnetic resonance imaging, 12 cavities appeared to have collapsed, five were markedly reduced, and one had increased. One patient underwent reoperation for pleural effusions and one for shunt displacement. In Group B, one patient improved, eight stabilized, three worsened neurologically, and one was lost to follow-up review. Radiologically, one cavity appeared to have collapsed, six were significantly reduced, two were unchanged, and three had enlarged. The authors conclude that syringopleural shunting is a valuable option for controlling syringomyelia in patients without Chiari malformation or in patients who have previously undergone a craniovertebral decompression or are otherwise asymptomatic from their Chiari malformation.

Management of prolactinomas associated with very high serum prolactin levels

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Barrow ◽  
Junichi Mizuno ◽  
George T. Tindall
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preoperative Serum ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Very High ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors have reviewed the results of transsphenoidal microsurgical management in 69 patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas who had preoperative serum prolactin levels over 200 ng/ml. The patients were divided into three groups based on their preoperative serum prolactin levels: over 200 to 500 ng/ml (Group A); over 500 to 1000 ng/ml (Group B); and over 1000 ng/ml (Group C). The percentage of successful treatment (“control rate”) was 68%, 30%, and 14%, respectively, in these three groups of patients. Based on these results, the authors offer guidelines for the management of patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas associated with exceptionally high serum prolactin levels. The surgical control rate of 68% in Group A seems to justify surgery for these patients, while primary medical care with bromocriptine is recommended for most patients with serum prolactin levels over 500 ng/ml.

Efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion blockade in 66 patients suffering from cluster headache: a 12- to 70-month follow-up evaluation

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 876-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sanders ◽  
Wouter W. A. Zuurmond
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Complete Relief ◽  
Sphenopalatine Ganglion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Made In

✓ This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, based on 12- to 70-month follow-up data, of radiofrequency (RF) lesions of the sphenopalatine ganglion made in patients suffering from cluster headache. Sixty-six patients suffering from either episodic (Group A, 56 patients) or chronic (Group B, 10 patients) cluster headache who were not responsive to pharmacological management were treated by RF lesioning in the sphenopalatine ganglion. Complete relief of pain was achieved in 34 (60.7%) of 56 patients in Group A and in three (30%) of 10 patients in Group B. No relief was found in eight patients (14.3%) in Group A and in four (40%) in Group B. The mean time of follow up was 29.1 ± 10.6 months in Group A and 24 ± 9.7 months in Group B, ranging from 12 to 70 months. With regard to side effects and complications, temporary postoperative epistaxis was observed in eight patients and a cheek hematoma in 11 patients; a partial RF lesion of the maxillary nerve was inadvertently made in four patients. Nine patients complained of hypesthesia of the palate, which disappeared in all cases within 3 months. The authors conclude that RF lesioning in the sphenopalatine ganglion via the infrazygomatic approach may be performed in patients suffering from cluster headache that does not respond to pharmacological therapy.

Efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: a quantitative follow up with magnetic resonance imaging—based volumetric analysis

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 429-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berndt Wowra ◽  
Walter Stummer
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Volumetric Analysis ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fractionated Radiotherapy ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors assessed the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NPAs) by sequential quantitative determinations of tumor volume and neurological and endocrinological follow-up examinations. Methods. Through May of 2000, 45 patients with NPA were treated by GKS. Complete neurological and endocrinological follow-up information was obtained. In 30 patients (67%), follow-up examinations included stereotactic magnetic resonance imaging involving the GammaPlan software for sequential measurements of the NPA volume. These patients constitute the basis of this study. Sequential volume measurements after GKS were compared with initial tumor volumes at the date of GKS to quantify the therapeutic result. All data were stored prospectively in a computerized database. The median dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy (range 11–20 Gy). The mean prescription isodose was 55% (range 45–75%). All except one patient (97%) underwent surgery for NPA before GKS. Fractionated radiotherapy was not administered. Median follow up after GKS was 55 months (range 28–86 months). The actuarial long-term recurrence-free survival was 93% with respect to a single GKS and 100% if a repeated GKS was included. Neurological side effects were not detected. The actuarial risk of radiosurgery-induced pituitary damage was calculated to be 14% after 6 years. The volumetric analysis revealed a temporary swelling of the NPA in four patients, followed by shrinkage of the lesion. This is the first time this has been observed in pituitary adenomas. Conclusions. Postoperative GKS for residual or recurrent small fragments of NPAs is effective and safe. With regard to the issues of radioprotection and therapeutic morbidity, it seems superior to fractionated radiotherapy. Quantification of tumor reduction is a valuable tool for documenting a therapeutic response and for identifying tumor recurrence. As part of a radiosurgical standard protocol, the follow-up examination for NPAs should include tumor volumetric analysis.

A new denervation procedure for idiopathic cervical dystonia

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaomi Taira ◽  
Tomonori Kobayashi ◽  
Kenji Takahashi ◽  
Tomokatsu Hori
Keyword(s):  
Blood Loss ◽  
Cervical Dystonia ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Intraoperative Blood Loss ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The Bertrand selective peripheral denervation for cervical dystonia (CD) has been well described, and its effectiveness and safety are established. It is, however, always accompanied by postoperative sensory loss in the C-2 region. Intraoperative bleeding from epidural venous plexuses may also be problematic. The authors developed a new denervation procedure with which to avoid such complications and compared the surgery-related results with those of the traditional Bertrand operation. Methods. The new procedure consists of intradural rhizotomy of the anterior C-1 and C-2 nerve roots, extradural peripheral ramisectomy from C-3 to C-6, and selective section of peripheral branches of the accessory nerve to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This procedure was performed in 30 patients (Group A). The results of this procedure were compared with those obtained in a matched group of 31 patients in the authors' series who underwent Bertrand denervation (Group B). Changes of CD rating score at 6-month follow up did not differ between the two groups. In one patient in Group A a C-2 sensory deficit was found, whereas C-2 sensory deficits were demonstrated in all the patients in Group B. No patients in Group A and four patients in Group B experienced occipital neuralgia. The operative time was significantly shorter in Group A. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 115 ± 30 ml (± standard deviation) in Group A and 233 ± 65 ml in Group B (p < 0.005). Conclusions. Although symptomatic improvement is the same after the Bertrand operation, the authors' new procedure for CD was associated with a lower incidence of complications and significant decrease of intraoperative blood loss.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as a single treatment modality for large cerebral arteriovenous malformations

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hung-Chi Pan ◽  
Wan-Yuo Guo ◽  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Cheng-Ying Shiau ◽  
Yue-Cune Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obliteration Rate ◽  
Complete Obliteration ◽  
Fine Print

Object. A consecutive series of 240 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) between March 1993 and March 1999 was evaluated to assess the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery for cerebral AVMs larger than 10 cm3 in volume. Methods. Seventy-six patients (32%) had AVM nidus volumes of more than 10 cm3. During radiosurgery, targeting and delineation of AVM nidi were based on integrated stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and x-ray angiography. The radiation treatment was performed using multiple small isocenters to improve conformity of the treatment volume. The mean dose inside the nidus was kept between 20 Gy and 24 Gy. The margin dose ranged between 15 to 18 Gy placed at the 55 to 60% isodose centers. Follow up ranged from 12 to 73 months. There was complete obliteration in 24 patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3 and in 91 patients with an AVM volume of less than 10 cm3. The latency for complete obliteration in larger-volume AVMs was significantly longer. In Kaplan—Meier analysis, the complete obliteration rate in 40 months was 77% in AVMs with volumes between 10 to 15 cm3, as compared with 25% for AVMs with a volume of more than 15 cm3. In the latter, the obliteration rate had increased to 58% at 50 months. The follow-up MR images revealed that large-volume AVMs had higher incidences of postradiosurgical edema, petechiae, and hemorrhage. The bleeding rate before cure was 9.2% (seven of 76) for AVMs with a volume exceeding 10 cm3, and 1.8% (three of 164) for AVMs with a volume less than 10 cm3. Although focal edema was more frequently found in large AVMs, most of the cases were reversible. Permanent neurological complications were found in 3.9% (three of 76) of the patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3, 3.8% (three of 80) of those with AVM volume of 3 to 10 cm3, and 2.4% (two of 84) of those with an AVM volume less than 3 cm3. These differences in complications rate were not significant. Conclusions. Recent improvement of radiosurgery in conjunction with stereotactic MR targeting and multiplanar dose planning has permitted the treatment of larger AVMs. It is suggested that gamma knife radiosurgery is effective for treating AVMs as large as 30 cm3 in volume with an acceptable risk.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document