Project description:Giant pituitary adenomas are a subgroup of pituitary adenomas defined by a diameter greater than 4 cm, and they account for 5-14% of adenomas in surgical series. Because of their growth patterns and locations, often involving critical neurovascular structures, they represent a true surgical challenge, and gross total resection is difficult to achieve. There is no consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for giant pituitary adenomas, and, often, integrated multi-staged treatment strategies have been considered. Transcranial or transsphenoidal approaches, alone or combined, according to tumor and patient features are the two main routes. Each of these strategies has pros and cons. The conventional transcranial approach has for a long time been considered the first choice for the removal of giant pituitary adenomas. Currently, with endoscopic techniques, it is also possible to remove lesions that involve the intradural compartment and the adjacent neurovascular structures with the use of extended approaches. Our policy for the management of these lesions is to adopt the endoscopic endonasal approach as the first choice unless the tumor presents significant intracranial extension that results in it being outside the visibility and maneuverability of the endoscopic endonasal route. In these latter cases, we agree that the transcranial approach is more appropriate. However, accurate preoperative evaluation and refined treatment plans for each patient are mandatory to define a proper strategy in order to achieve the most effective long-term result.
Project description:ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings and management of patients with clinical pituitary apoplexy and to screen for aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) mutations.MethodsThe clinical findings were collected from the medical records of consecutive sporadic pituitary adenoma patients with clinical apoplexy. Possible precipitating factors, laboratory data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and treatment were also analyzed. Peripheral blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction from leukocytes, and the entire AIP coding region was sequenced.ResultsThirty-five patients with pituitary adenoma were included, and 23 (67%) had non-functioning pituitary adenomas. Headache was observed in 31 (89%) patients. No clear precipitating factor was identified. Hypopituitarism was observed in 14 (40%) patients. MRI from 20 patients was analyzed, and 10 (50%) maintained a hyperintense signal in MRI performed more than three weeks after pituitary apoplexy (PA). Surgery was performed in ten (28%) patients, and 25 (72%) were treated conservatively with good outcomes. No AIP mutation was found in this cohort.ConclusionPatients with stable neuroophthalmological impairments can be treated conservatively if no significant visual loss is present. Our radiological findings suggest that hematoma absorption lasts more than that observed in other parts of the brain. Additionally, our study suggests no benefits of AIP mutation screening in sporadic patients with apoplexy.
Project description:ObjectiveA case of giant pituitary neuroendocrine tumor presented along with acute visual loss due to pituitary apoplexy after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is reported.Case presentationA 45-year-old man was referred for a giant pituitary tumor with bitemporal hemianopsia. A surgical procedure was planned and then delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan, with a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine administered while awaiting surgery. Three days after the second COVID-19 vaccination the patient noted a progressively worsening headache that caused pituitary apoplexy and then a decrease in vision. Emergency surgery was thus performed.ConclusionPituitary apoplexy is a rare and life-threatening complication that may occur after undergoing a COVID-19 vaccination.
Project description:We evaluated the features of clinically nonfunctioning giant pituitary adenomas (NFGPAs) causing hydrocephalus to highlight the timing of hydrocephalus management and surgical approaches. A total of 24 patients with NFGPAs and hydrocephalus were included. Eighteen patients underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Ten patients received pterional surgery, including 6 patients as first treatment and 4 cases with recurrence after transsphenoidal approach. Gross total resection was achieved in 10 patients, including 6 cases (6/18, 33.3%) with endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and 4 cases (4/10, 40%) with pterional surgery. All patients were divided into preoperative EVD group and non-preopoerative EVD group. The proportion of patients receiving postoperative EVD or shunt was significantly higher in non-preoperative EVD group than that in preoperative EVD group (9/15 vs. 1/9, P = 0.033). Visual impairment score (VIS) was evaluated for each patient. We detected significant vision improvement according to the preoperative and postoperative VIS (median, interquartile range: 62, 48.25-77 vs. 36.5, 0-50.75, P < 0.001). Conclusively, for patients with NFGPAs and hydrocephalus, preoperative EVD might reduce the need for a second shunt or EVD. Surgical approach should be decided based on the clinicoradiological features and surgeons' experience for individualized treatment, and endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas was suggested for most NFGPAs.
Project description:The resection of giant pituitary adenomas is one of the most challenging brain surgeries, especially when the giant pituitary adenomas have an irregular shape or irregular growth position. The purpose of the present study is to propose staged surgery for irregular giant pituitary adenomas through a retrospective analysis of two cases. The cases of two patients with irregular giant pituitary adenomas who underwent staged surgery are retrospectively analyzed. In one case, a 51-year-old male was hospitalized after 2 months of memory loss. Brain MRI showed that the pituitary adenoma was paginated and located in the sellar and right suprasellar regions, with a size of ~6.15×6.11×5.69 cm. In the second case, a 60-year-old male had a history of intermittent vertigo for 10 years and paroxysmal amaurosis for 1 year. Brain MRI showed that the pituitary adenoma grew laterally and eccentrically, and was located in the sellar region, with a size of ~4.35×3.96×3.07 cm. Both patients underwent staged surgery; more specifically, the tumors were totally removed through two-stage surgery. In the first-stage operation, most of the tumor was removed by the microscopic transcranial approach, while in the second-stage operation, the residual tumor was removed by the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Both patients recovered well without obvious postoperative complications after staged surgery. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. Staged surgery is characterized by only treating tumors in the visual field and achieving a total tumor resection, which has the advantages of a high tumor resection rate, high safety and fewer postoperative complications. Staged surgery is especially suitable for irregular giant pituitary adenomas with an irregular shape or irregular growth position.
Project description:The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between pre- and postoperative pituitary hormone levels in patients undergoing surgical resection of pituitary adenoma and to identify factors associated with preoperative hypopituitarism. Data from 81 patients with histologically confirmed functioning and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) who underwent transsphenoidal resection from January 2011 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression was applied to analyze factors associated with preoperative hypopituitarism. In patients with functioning pituitary adenomas, GH and PRL levels declined after the operation; TSH, FSH and LH levels returned to preoperative values after an initial decline at postoperative day 1. In contrast, with the exception of a postoperative reduction in PRL level, NFPA patients had postoperative ACTH, TSH, FSH and LH levels at 4 months follow-up that were similar to preoperative levels. Similarly, a decrease in total hormone index was observed following surgery irrespective of NFPA type and in null-cell type NFPA patients with values increasing over the 4-month follow-up period. A higher percentage of patients receiving partial resection had high PRL levels (≥200 ng/ mL) compared to those receiving complete resection. Age (P = 0.041) and male sex (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with preoperative hypopituitarism. In conclusion, the postoperative total hormone index decreased immediately following surgery in all patients with pituitary adenoma who underwent resection, and then increased over the follow-up period. The extent of surgical resection correlated with PRL levels >200 ng/mL. Age and male sex were also independent risk factors for preoperative hypopituitarism.
Project description:Objectives Visual dysfunction in patients with pituitary adenomas is a clear indication for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS). However, the visual outcomes vary greatly among patients and it remains unclear what tumor, patient, and surgical characteristics contribute to postoperative visual outcomes. Methods One hundred patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent EETS between January 2011 and June 2015 in a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. General patient characteristics, pre- and postoperative visual status, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, hormone production, radiological features, and procedural characteristics were evaluated for association with presenting visual signs and visual outcomes postoperatively. Suprasellar tumor extension (SSE) was graded 0 to 4 following a grading system as formulated by Fujimoto et al. Results Sixty-six (66/100) of all patients showed visual field defects (VFD) at the time of surgery, of whom 18% (12/66) were asymptomatic. VFD improved in 35 (35%) patients and worsened in 4 (4%) patients postoperatively. Mean visual acuity (VA) improved from 0.67 preoperatively to 0.84 postoperatively ( p = 0.04). Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and Fujimoto grade were independent predictors of preoperative VFD in the entire cohort ( p = 0.02 and p < 0.01 respectively). A higher grade of SSE was the only factor independently associated with postoperative improvement of VFD ( p = 0.03). NFPA and Fujimoto grade 3 were independent predictors of VA improvement (both p = 0.04). Conclusion EETS significantly improved both VA and VFD for most patients, although a few patients showed deterioration of visual deficits postoperatively. Higher degrees of SSE and NFPA were independent predictors of favorable visual outcomes.
Project description:BackgroundThere are few studies of the incidence and clinical characteristics of pituitary apoplexy (PA) in pituitary adenoma patients, and the findings have been inconsistent.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the incidence, clinical presentation, surgical management and postoperative complications of PA in pituitary adenoma patients.MethodsA database was specifically designed to collect clinical, therapeutic, prognostic and histological information about pituitary adenoma patients. Using multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to identify associated factors.ResultsA total of 2021 pituitary adenoma patients were recruited. 97 (4.8%) patients had PA. The incidence of PA was 10.11% in patients with pituitary macroadenoma, and 0.36% in patients with microadenoma. Variables for the logistic regression model independently associated with PA were sex (male vs. female, OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.59~4.07), tumor type (negative staining vs. positive staining, OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.29~3.23), and tumor size (macroadenoma vs. microadenoma, OR = 26.46, 95% CI = 9.66~72.46). Headache, visual deterioration, and vomiting were the most common symptoms in patients with pituitary adenoma. Patients with and without PA had similar frequency of visual deterioration, head trauma, acromegalic appearance, galactorrhoea, cold intolerance and Cushingoid appearance, but headache, vomiting, ptosis, diplopia, fever and blindness were significantly more common in patients with PA. Pearson Chi-Square tests revealed a significant difference in surgical approach between patients with and without PA (95.88% vs. 85.57%, P = 0.01).ConclusionOur findings suggest that PA is not a rare event. Male sex, non-functioning tumor, and macroadenoma are associated with an increased risk of PA. Compared with pituitary adenoma patients without PA, patients with PA have more severe symptoms.
Project description:Background Parasellar invasion of pituitary adenomas (PAs) into the cavernous sinus (CS) is common. The management of the CS component of PA remains controversial. Objective The objective of this study was to analyze CS involvement in PA treated with endoscopic endonasal approaches, including incidence, surgical risks, surgical strategies, long-term outcomes, and our treatment algorithm. Methods We reviewed a series of 176 surgically treated PA with particular attention to CS involvement and whether the CS tumor was approached medial or lateral to the internal carotid artery. Results The median duration of follow-up was 36 months. Macroadenomas and nonfunctional adenomas represented 77 and 60% of cases, respectively. CS invasion was documented in 23% of cases. CS involvement was associated with a significantly diminished odds of gross total resection (47 vs. 86%, odds ratio [OR]: 5.2) and increased the need for subsequent intervention (4 vs. 40%, OR: 14.4). Hormonal remission was achieved in 15% of hormonally active tumors. Rates of surgical complication were similar regardless of CS involvement. Conclusion Our tailored strategy beginning with a medial approach and adding lateral exposure as needed resulted in good outcomes with low morbidity in nonfunctional adenomas. Functional adenomas involving the CS were associated with low rates of hormonal remission necessitating higher rates of additional treatment.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (mTSS) is a well-established method to address adenomas of the pituitary gland. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (eTSS) has become a viable alternative, however. Advocates suggest that the greater illumination, panoramic visualization, and angled endoscopic views afforded by eTSS may allow for higher rates of gross total tumor resection (GTR). The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the rate of GTR using mTSS and eTSS. METHODS:A meta-analysis of the literature was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through July 2017 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS:Seventy case series that reported GTR rate in 8257 pituitary adenoma patients were identified. For all pituitary adenomas, eTSS (GTR=74.0%; I2 = 92.1%) was associated with higher GTR as compared to mTSS (GTR=66.4%; I2 = 84.0%) in a fixed-effect model (P-interaction < 0.01). For functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs) (n = 1170 patients), there was no significant difference in GTR rate between eTSS (GTR=75.8%; I2 = 63.9%) and mTSS (GTR=75.5%; I2 = 79.0%); (P-interaction = 0.92). For nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) (n = 2655 patients), eTSS (GTR=71.0%; I2 = 86.4%) was associated with higher GTR as compared to mTSS (GTR=60.7%; I2 = 87.5%) in a fixed-effect model (P-interaction < 0.01). None of the associations were significant in a random-effect model (all P-interaction > 0.05). No significant publication bias was identified for any of the outcomes. CONCLUSION:Among patients who were not randomly allocated to either approach, eTSS resulted in a higher rate of GTR as compared to mTSS for all patients and for NFPA patients alone, but only in a fixed-effect model. For FPA, however, eTSS did not seem to offer a significantly higher rate of GTR. These conclusions should be interpreted with caution because of the nature of the included non-comparative studies.