Surgical outcomes of endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection in elderly versus younger patients

Introduction Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are one of the most common type of intracranial neoplasm with increased incidence in elderly patients. The outcomes of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) specifically on elderly patients remains unclear. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study to compare elderly patients (age 65 years) with non-elderly patients (age <65 years) who underwent ETS for PA from January 2005 to December 2021. Surgical outcomes, including extent of resection, complication profile, length of stay, and endocrinopathy rates, were compared between elderly and non-elderly patients. Results A total of 690 patients were included with 197 (29%) being elderly. Elderly patients showed higher rates of hypertension (p<0.05), myocardial infarction (p<0.01), and atrial fibrillation (p=0.01) but not other comorbidities. Elderly patients also had more frequent optic nerve involvement (72% of cases vs. 61%, p=0.01). Tumor characteristics and other patient variables were otherwise similar between younger and elderly patients. Postoperative CSF leaks (2% vs. 2%, p=0.8), 30-day readmission, reoperation, postoperative complications, and postoperative endocrinopathies were similar between younger and older patients. Subdividing patients into age <65, 65-79, and >80 also did not demonstrate a worsening of surgical outcomes with age. Conclusion For well selected elderly patients in experienced endoscopic skull base centers, good surgical outcomes similarly to younger patients may be achieved.

Transsphenoidal Endoscopic versus Microscopic Approach in Treatment of Pituitary Adenomas: CSF Leak and GTR Systematic review

Background Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are the second most common brain tumors, 10% to 20% of all primary brain tumors. Transsphenoidal approach is now the gold standard for treatment of PAs either microscopic or endoscopic. Aim of the Work to analyze the collective outcomes from studies comparing the microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (MTS) with the endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) regarding gross total resection (GTR) and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Patients and Methods we searched PubMed, Google scholar search engine, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, EMBASE and science Direct, using the following keywords “Pituitary adenoma/tumor, endoscopy or endoscopic, microscopy or microscopic, gross total/subtotal/near total/radicular resection/excision, hypophysectomy, debulking, CSF leak/leakage ". The mentioned databases were searched for studies published during period from the 1st of Jan 2015 to 31 Aug. 2020. Results Total number of patients in included studies was 1211 of which 621 (51.3%) underwent endoscopic surgery and 590 (48.7%) underwent microscopic surgery. Of 990 patient analysed for GTR, it was achieved in 334 patients (69.4%) in endoscopic group compared with 287 patients (56.4%) in microscopic group. Of 1211 patients, Postoperative CSF leak developed in 30 patients (5.7%) compared with 32 patients (4.7%) in endoscopic and microscopic group respectively. Conclusion GTR was found to be slightly higher in the endoscopic group especially in cases of suprasellar and lateral cavernous extensions. CSF leak showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Detection by fluorescence of pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET) tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using bevacizumab-800CW (DEPARTURE trial): study protocol for a non-randomised, non-blinded, single centre, feasibility and dose-finding trial

IntroductionAchieving gross total resection and endocrine remission in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNET) can be challenging, especially in PitNETs with cavernous sinus (CS) invasion, defined as a Knosp grade of 3 or 4. A potential target to identify PitNET tissue is vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which expression is known to be significantly higher in PitNETs with CS invasion.Methods and analysisThe aim of this non-randomised, non-blinded, single centre, feasibility and dose-finding phase 1 trial is to determine the feasibility of intraoperative fluorescence imaging detection of PitNET tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using the VEGF-A targeting optical agent bevacizumab-800CW (4, 5, 10 or 25 mg). Nine to fifteen patients with a PitNET with a Knosp grade of 3 or 4 will be included. Secondary objectives are: (1) To identify the optimal tracer dose for imaging of PitNET tissue during transsphenoidal surgery for further development in a phase 2 fluorescence molecular endoscopy trial. (2) To quantify fluorescence intensity in vivo and ex vivo with multidiameter single-fibre reflectance, single-fibre fluorescence (MDSFR/SFF) spectroscopy. (3) To correlate and validate both the in vivo and ex vivo measured fluorescence signals with histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical staining. (4) To assess the (sub)cellular location of bevacizumab-800CW by ex vivo fluorescence microscopy. Intraoperative, three imaging moments are defined to detect the fluorescent signal. The tumour-to-background ratios are defined by intraoperative fluorescence in vivo measurements including MDSFR/SFF spectroscopy data and by ex vivo back-table fluorescence imaging. After inclusion of three patients in each dose group, an interim analysis will be performed to define the optimal dose.Ethics and disseminationApproval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Review Board of the University Medical Centre Groningen. Results will be disseminated through national and international journals. The participants and relevant patient support groups will be informed about the results.Trial registration numberNCT04212793

Perioperative Outcomes of a Hydrocortisone Protocol after Endonasal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma Resection

Introduction In pituitary adenomas (PAs), the use of postoperative steroid supplementation remains controversial, as it reduces peritumoral edema and sinonasal complaints but disrupts the detection of adrenal insufficiency (AI). It is unclear whether postoperative cortisol supplementation has a measurable effect on improving outcomes in patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). The objective of the study was to evaluate a postoperative steroid treatment protocol on various surgical outcomes in patients with PA undergoing ETS. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing ETS from 2005 to 2020 for PA at a single tertiary academic center. Patients were divided into two groups: those managed by a routine postoperative glucocorticoid supplementation protocol (steroid protocol) and those who received supplementation based on postoperative cortisol laboratory assessment (steroid sparing protocol). Management was otherwise the same between groups. Evaluation of length of stay (LOS), sinonasal outcomes, 30-day readmission, and perioperative complications, including AI, were performed. Results Among 535 patients, 21% (n = 111) received postoperative steroids, while the remainder (n = 424) did not. There were no differences in mean LOS (3 vs. 3 days, p = 0.72), sinonasal complaints (27 vs. 19%, p = 0.12), 30-day readmission (5% vs. 5%, p = 0.44), and perioperative complications (5 vs. 5%, p = 0.79) between both the groups. A multivariate model supported that both groups were comparable in predicting LOS, 30-day readmission, and complications. No reduction in readmission for AI was seen. Conclusion Routine administration of postoperative glucocorticoids did not significantly improve patient outcomes in patients with PA who underwent ETS.

Treatment strategies for giant pituitary adenomas in the era of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: a multicenter series

OBJECTIVE Given the anatomical complexity and frequently invasive growth of giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs), individually tailored approaches are required. The aim of this study was to assess the treatment strategies and outcomes in a large multicenter series of GPAs in the era of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). METHODS This was a retrospective case-control series of 64 patients with GPAs treated at two tertiary care centers by surgeons with experience in ETS. GPAs were defined by a maximum diameter of ≥ 4 cm and a volume of ≥ 10 cm3 on preoperative isovoxel contrast-enhanced MRI. RESULTS The primary operation was ETS in all cases. Overall gross-total resection rates were 64% in round GPAs, 46% in dumbbell-shaped GPAs, and 8% in multilobular GPAs (p < 0.001). Postoperative outcomes were further stratified into two groups based on extent of resection: group A (gross-total resection or partial resection with intracavernous remnant; 21/64, 33%) and group B (partial resection with intracranial remnant; 43/64, 67%). Growth patterns of GPAs were mostly round (11/14, 79%) in group A and multilobular (33/37, 89%) in group B. In group A, no patients required a second operation, and 2/21 (9%) were treated with adjuvant radiosurgery. In group B, early transcranial reoperation was required in 6/43 (14%) cases due to hemorrhagic transformation of remnants. For the remaining group B patients with remnants, 5/43 (12%) underwent transcranial surgery and 12/43 (28%) underwent delayed second ETS. There were no deaths in this series. Severe complications included stroke (6%), meningitis (6%), hydrocephalus requiring shunting (6%), and loss or distinct worsening of vision (3%). At follow-up (mean 3 years, range 0.5–16 years), stable disease was achieved in 91% of cases. CONCLUSIONS ETS as a primary treatment modality to relieve mass effect in GPAs and extent of resection are dependent on GPA morphology. The pattern of residual pituitary adenoma guides further treatment strategies, including early transcranial reoperation, delayed endoscopic transsphenoidal/transcranial reoperation, and adjuvant radiosurgery.