COMPLICATIONS OF TRANS‐SPHENOIDAL SURGERY: THE WELLINGTON EXPERIENCE

Background : All patients who underwent trans‐sphenoidal surgery between January 1984 and December 1998 were reviewed to assess morbidity resulting from this operation. Methods : There were 185 operations on 165 patients. The operative approach was sublabial in 80 cases and transnasal in 105. One surgeon (VB) performed the vast majority of operations. Results : Complications included nasal perforation (7.6%), transient diabetes insipidus (4.9%), permanent diabetes insipidus (3.8%), cerebrospinal fluid fistula (4.3%), donor site haematoma (2.2%) and residual tumour haemorrhage (1.6%) causing ophthalmoplegia (1.1%) and loss of vision (1.1%). Other complications included epistaxis (1.1%), meningitis (0.5%) and sinusitis (0.5%). Injury to the anterior superior alveolar nerve also occurred in the sublabial approach in 6.3% of patients. There were no perioperative deaths. Conclusions : There is a small but significant risk of a number of complications that should be considered for informed consent of this procedure.     

显微镜下经单鼻孔蝶窦入路切除垂体腺瘤

目的评价显微镜下经单鼻孔蝶窦入路切除垂体腺瘤的疗效. 方法采用经单鼻孔蝶窦入路行垂体腺瘤切除术20例,其中微腺瘤8例(<10 mm),小腺瘤8例(10～20 mm),中腺瘤3例(20～30 mm),大腺瘤1例(>30 mm);PRL腺瘤9例,GH腺瘤6例,ACTH腺瘤5例. 结果本组20例无并发症,平均随访5(2～10)个月,患者临床症状较术前均有不同程度改善,手术效果良好. 结论经单鼻孔蝶窦入路垂体瘤切除术效果好,术中损伤小,患者痛苦少,术后康复快,没有或较少出现并发症.     

Management of pituitary apoplexy: clinical experience with 40 patients

Summary Background. Pituitary apoplexy is a rare major clinical event with neurological, neuro-ophthalmological, cardiovascular and hormonal consequences, resulting from an acute infarction of pituitary adenoma. We report our experience with a series of 40 patients presenting with pituitary apoplexy.Patients. Forty patients (27 males, 13 females; mean age, 51.2yr) were admitted to our medical center between years 1985–2002 with acute presentation of pituitary apoplexy. Visual field defects occurred in 61% and ocular paresis in 40% of subjects. Sixty-three percent of adenomas were nonfunctional, and prolactinomas comprised 31%.Results. Thirty-four patients underwent transsphenoidal pituitary decompression. Visual fields and ophthalmoplegia improved in 81% and 71%, respectively. During follow-up (4.5±5.4yr), 79% of patients developed hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism appeared in 54% and hypocortisolism – in 40% of patients. Permanent diabetes insipidus was diagnosed in 8%. Serial sellar MRI showed disappearance of pituitary tumor in 63% of operated subjects. Six patients (3 with PRL-secreting and 3 nonfunctional adenomas) were treated medically (corticosteroids, dopamine agonists), two patients (out of three) with visual deficits improved, and tumor shrinkage was noted in four.Conclusions. We present a large series of patients with pituitary apoplexy. Most subjects were operated, but six were treated conservatively. Almost all patients improved clinically, including those who were not operated, but hormonal deficiencies are very common.     

Pituitary apoplexy: Endocrine,surgical and oncological emergency. Incidence,clinical course and treatment with reference to 799 cases of pituitary adenomas

Summary Authors analised retrospectively the incidence of pituitary apoplexy in a series of 799 pituitary adenomas with respect to the long term follow-up of the patients.Focal vascular abnormalities in histological specimens of tumours, regarded as morphological suggestion of past apoplexy (heamorrhage, ischaemic infarction or necrosis), were established in 113 out of 783 surgical cases (14.4%).Acute clinical onset, justifying the clinical diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy, occurred in 39 patients only (5% of the whole series), 19 of them were subjected to urgent surgical decompression due to severe neurological deficit. The haemorrhagic character of apoplexy was established in most cases requiring immediate surgery.The detailed clinical picture of this condition and its management are discussed with respect to the long term prognosis.On this basis the authors suggest the necessity of surgical treatment in every case of pituitary apoplexy, taking into account not only neurological recovery, but also endocrine and oncological aspects of the disease. The observation that pituitary apoplexy may be a marker of tumour invasiveness (even in small, enclosed adenomas) is highlighted.     

Pituitary apoplexy. Report of 25 patients

A series of 25 patients with a clinical diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy (PA) is reviewed. It included 14 men and 11 women aged between 20 to 79 years (mean age: 54 years). Twenty-two patients did not know that they had a pituitary tumor when the apoplexy occurred. A precipitating event was found in 3 cases. Symptoms and signs ranged from isolated ocular paresis to a deep coma. Seventeen patients experienced a decrease in their visual acuity. CTscan and MRI showed a pituitary adenoma in all cases, a hemorrhage was also present in 10 out of the 24 CTscans, and in all the 8 MRI performed. Twenty patients underwent surgery; 18 of them by a transsphenoidal approach. A complete recovery of visual acuity was observed in 75% of patients operated within the week following the onset of symptoms, and in 56% of patients operated later on. There was no case of complete visual recovery among the blind patients. Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical concept. It applies only to symptomatic cases. It is generally a complication of a pituitary adenoma which is in most cases unknown. There are different degrees of severity; PA can even be life-threatening. The principal aim of surgery in the acute phase is the improvement of visual prognosis. In our series, blind patients or those with a history of visual loss for more than a week or with a blindness had a poorer prognosis.     

Treatment results of acromegaly as analyzed by different criteria

Summary Results of treatment of acromegaly are often incomparable due to the different criteria which have been used for defining cure or control of disease. At the present time it is widely accepted, that the main criteria of cure must be normalization of IGF-1 and a GH in the OGTT <2 ng/ml. In this retrospective study we investigated the endocrinological results of 56 patients, who were surgically treated because of a GH-producing pituitary adenoma, by different criteria. Twelve of our patients had had additional medical treatment after surgery, two received radiotherapy.At a mean follow-up of 34 months after surgery 66% of patients had a basal GH <5 ng/ml, 64% had a GH in the OGTT <2 ng/ml and 73% had normalization of IGF-1. The combined criteria of OGTT <2 ng/ml and IGF-1 normalization have been fulfilled in 59% of patients. None of these latter patients developed a clinical recurrence during the follow-up period. An optimal result (endocrinological cure, no permanent surgical complications and intact pituitary function) was achieved in 43% of patients. Although surgery was responsible for 19 new pituitary axis deficiencies (7 corticotropic axis, 8 thyrotropic axis and gonadotropic axis), 22 partial deficiencies improved to normalization after surgery (respectively 6, 3, and 13). Pre-operatively 55% of patients had no pituitary deficiency, after surgery this was 61%, leaving a net positive result of 6% less pituitary deficiencies.The authors conclude that normalization of IGF-1 combined with an OGTT <2 ng/ml are adequate criteria for the definition of cure of acromegaly. However, the authors propose to include posttreatment hypopituitarism as an additional criterion by which treatment of acromegaly should be evaluated.     

Treatment of Pituitary Carcinomas and Atypical Pituitary Adenomas: A Review

Atypical pituitary adenomas (APAs) are aggressive tumors, harboring a Ki-67 (MIB-1) staining index of 3% or more, and positive immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification in 2004. Pituitary carcinomas (PC) usually develop from progressive APAs and predominantly consist of hormone-generating tumors, defined by the presence of disseminations in the cerebrospinal system or systemic metastases. Most of the cases with these malignant pituitary adenomas underwent surgeries, irradiations and adjuvant medical treatments, nevertheless, the therapies are mainly palliative. Recently, the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ), an orally administered alkylating agent, has been reported as an alternative medical treatment. However, some recent studies have demonstrated a significant recurrence rate after effective response to TMZ. Further clinical and pathological researches of malignant pituitary adenomas will be required to improve the outcome of patients with these tumors.     

Pilot Study on Early Postoperative Discharge in Pituitary Adenoma Patients: Effect of Socioeconomic Factors and Benefit of Specialized Pituitary Centers

Introduction Pituitary neoplasms are benign entities that require distinct diagnostic and treatment considerations. Recent advances in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery have resulted in shorter lengths of stay (LOS). We implemented a postoperative day (POD) 1 discharge paradigm involving a multidisciplinary approach and detailed preoperative evaluation and review of both medical and socioeconomic factors.Methods The experience of a single neurosurgeon/ears, nose, throat (ENT) team was reviewed, generating a preliminary retrospective database of the first 30 patients who underwent resection of pituitary lesions under the POD 1 discharge paradigm. We assessed multiple axes from their preoperative, in-house, and postoperative care.Results There were 14 men and 16 women with an average age of 53.8 years (range: 27–76 years). There were 22 nonsecretory and 8 secretory tumors with average size of 2.80 cm (range: 1.3–5.0 cm). All 30 patients underwent preoperative ENT evaluation. Average LOS was 1.5 ± 0.7 days. A total of 18 of 30 patients were discharged on POD 1. The insurance status included 15 with public insurance such as emergency Medicaid and 15 with private insurance. Four patients had transient diabetes insipidus (DI); none had permanent DI. Overall, 28 of 30 patients received postoperative steroids. Factors that contributed to LOS > 1 day included public insurance status, two or more medical comorbidities, diabetes mellitus, transient panhypopituitarism, and DI.Conclusion The implementation of a POD 1 discharge plan for pituitary tumors is feasible and safe for elective patients. This implementation requires the establishment of a dedicated Pituitary Center model with experienced team members. The consistent limitation to early discharge was socioeconomic status. Efforts that incorporate the analysis of social disposition parameters with proper management of clinical sequelae are crucial to the maintenance of ideal LOS and optimal patient outcomes.     

MRI Prediction of Fibrous Pituitary Adenomas

Summary  The transsphenoidal approach is a less invasive and safer procedure for removing pituitary adenomas. However, this procedure becomes extremely difficult when the tumour consistency is fibrous as encountered in about 10% of pituitary adenomas. In this study, we investigated predicting factors of tumour consistency in magnetic resonance images (MRIs).  MRIs of two groups, twenty-one soft and five firm (fibrous) adenomas, were retrospectively evaluated and compared in respect of tumour consistency. To compare the two groups objectively, tumour densities on MRI films and percentage of collagen content on operative specimens were expressed as numerical data using NIH-image^TM. The relationships between collagen content and T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, grade of enhancement effect, and heterogeneity of enhancement were investigated.  Signal intensities on T1-weighted images were not correlated with tumour consistency, whereas those on T2-weighted images were significantly correlated with the percentage of collagen content. Adenomas, showing lower signal intensities on T2-weighted images, contained more collagen. On enhanced images, homogeneously enhanced adenomas tended to include more collagen, even though the grade of enhancement effect showed only weak correlation with the tumour hardness.  MRIs give us useful information on tumour consistency. Adenomas may be firm and fibrous if they show low signal intensities on T2-weighted images and homogeneous enhancement. To remove such tumours, a long sized and small-calibred ultrasonic aspirators applicable to transsphenoidal approach must be prepared and multi-staged operations may be more than likely needed.     

Transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension

During the past six years, we have operated upon a total of 59 pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. Of 26 patients treated by transsphenoidal operations, 54% (19 of 35 eyes) recovered normal visual acuity; improvement was noted in another 37% (13 of 35 eyes). The visual field was corrected in 84% (41 of 49 eyes). In about 60% (31 of 51 eyes) of the patients who underwent frontal craniotomy, visual improvement occurred. Endocrinologic cure of hypersecreting adenomas with suprasellar extension was difficult, although visual impairment improved. We suggest that in most cases the transsphenoidal approach is the method of choice in pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension. With this approach there has been excellent visual improvement and fewer operative complications.     

垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤临床病例分析

目的研究分析垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤女性患者的临床特征,以期达到早期诊断及治疗的目的。方法回顾性分析我院收治的5例垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤女性患者的临床特点及诊治经过。结果 5例患者均为生育年龄女性,平均年龄38.8岁,临床表现为月经紊乱、溢乳、头痛和视野缺损。盆腔超声发现双侧卵巢增大,内见多房囊性无回声。性激素检查雌激素4 377.65～12 973.45pmol/L,均值7 800.66pmol/L,而FSH和/或LH并未被异常升高的雌激素负反馈抑制,泌乳素(PRL)升高至1 268.18～2 794.16nmol/L,均值1 726.95nmol/L。垂体磁共振(MRI)检查发现垂体大腺瘤样改变。5例患者均接受垂体腺瘤切除术,病理切片免疫组化检查提示FSH/LH阳性,术后随访至今(3～5年)无肿瘤复发迹象。结论当绝经前女性出现月经紊乱、溢乳、头痛、视野缺损、反复发生的卵巢多房囊肿、雌激素异常升高的同时促性腺激素未被负反馈抑制时,应行垂体核磁共振检查,如发现垂体肿瘤,应考虑垂体功能性促性腺激素腺瘤的诊断。垂体瘤切除手术是首选治疗。     

Bilateral Trans‐humeral Arm Transplantation: Result at 2 Years

Unilateral and bilateral hand transplantations have been performed worldwide with good mid‐term functional results. An above‐elbow bilateral transplantation was performed in a 29‐year‐old male patient from a fully HLA‐mismatched donor. Alemtuzumab induction and steroid‐free maintenance immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate was used. Due to acute rejection, steroids were introduced at 6 months. Three acute rejection episodes occurred, one treated with alemtuzumab. New‐onset diabetes after transplant, dyslipemia and worsening of previous high blood pressure required treatment. At 26 months post‐transplantation, the patient has excellent elbow active movement, active flexion and extension of the thumb and fingers, useful sensation and a gainful job. Based on the functional results of the case reported, bilateral trans‐humeral transplantation could be a viable treatment for selected bilateral above‐elbow amputees.     

Transnasal surgery for prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas in childhood and adolescence

BACKGROUND

Prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas) are rare in childhood and adolescence; there are only a few published series of patients who were surgically treated. We discuss the gender-dependent differences, and the surgical indications and results for 14 patients with prolactinomas under 18 years of age at surgery.

METHODS

We reviewed the data for 14 patients (10 girls and 4 boys) treated surgically for prolactinomas between 1980 and 1996. Surgery was chosen because of intolerance and/or resistance to dopamine agonist (DA) in 9 patients, the patient’s decision in 3, rhinorrhea in 1, and pituitary apoplexy in 1 during DA therapy. All patients underwent direct transnasal explorations. Since 1988, intraoperative PRL measurements were performed. The follow-up period was at least 6 years.

RESULTS

Nine of the 10 girls had primary or secondary amenorrhea, and 3 of the 4 boys had visual field defects. The boys and girls were the same age at the onset of symptoms and had the same preoperative duration of symptoms. Boys had larger, more invasive tumors and higher preoperative and postoperative plasma PRL levels than girls. Two boys demonstrated significant extrasellar extension at the time of diagnosis. Two patients required drilling of the incompletely pneumatized sphenoid sinus to reach the sella. Radical tumor resection was achieved in seven girls and in none of the four boys. In 12 of the 14 patients, normal pituitary function was preserved by transnasal surgery. There was no severe surgical morbidity or mortality. Endocrinological remission by surgery alone was achieved for seven girls, and was achieved in 4 of the 5 patients (80%) with microadenomas. In patients with preoperative mean PRL levels of less than 200 μg/L, the surgical cure rate was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolactinomas in childhood and adolescence differ in their biology in boys and girls. Transnasal surgery is as safe in childhood patients as it is in adult patients, and it may be an effective alternative to long-term medical therapy for selected patients with prolactinomas. Successful surgical outcomes were achieved in patients with microadenomas and preoperative serum PRL levels of less than 200 μg/L.     

改良翼点入路显微手术切除垂体巨腺瘤及术中垂体柄保护

目的 探讨巨大型垂体腺瘤显微手术切除及垂体柄保护方法。方法 采用改良翼点入路对48例巨大垂体腺瘤（直径〉40mm）行显微手术切除，术中注意保护垂体柄。结果 肿瘤伞切除36例，近全切除8例，大部切除4例，其中全切除患者垂体柄保留30例（83．3％）。所有病例无一例死亡。术后发生尿崩症31例（64．6％），其中21例在1～2周内恢复正常，7例在3个月内恢复，3例尿崩症状持续2年左右？随访2～3年，无复发病例，无其他并发症。结论 采用改良翼点入路治疗巨大垂体瘤效果确切，术中垂体柄保留是降低术后尿崩症发生率、提高手术疗效的关键措施。     

Complications of transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma: experience at a single centre

Summary Objective. This paper reports the complications of transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas in a series of 1240 consecutive patients operated at our Institute between 1990 and 2004 (first operations) and indicate the clinical characteristics of patients which affected surgical morbidity and mortality. Methods. According to tumour type, there were 420 (33.9%) non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), 349 (28.1%) GH-secreting, 288 (23.2%) ACTH-secreting, 155 (12.5%) prolactin (PRL)-secreting, and 28 (2.3%) TSH-secreting adenomas. The mean age of patients was 43.7 ± 0.4 yr and 122 patients (9.9%) were 65 yr or older; the female/male ratio was 1.5/1. There were 370 (29.8%) microadenomas and 870 (70.2%) macroadenomas of which 54 (4.4%) were giant adenomas. Results. The series mortality was 0.2%, the medical morbidity 1.9%, and the surgical morbidity 3.5%. Medical complications were significantly more frequent in patients older than 65 yr (4.9 vs. 1.4%; p = 0.009) and in patients with giant adenomas (5.6 vs. 1.6%; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that both variables were independently associated with a higher morbidity rate. The surgical morbidity was increased in giant adenomas (15 vs. 3%; p = 0.0001), in NFPA (6.2 vs. 2.1% in secreting adenomas; p = 0.0002) and in patients older than 65 yr (6.6 vs. 3.1%; p = 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only giant size was independently associated with an increased surgical morbidity rate. Conclusions. In our experience, the size of the adenoma was a risk factor for medical and surgery related complications and age over 65 yr for medical complications alone.