The Observation of Pituitary Function in Patients with Acute Pituitary Apoplexy before and after Transsphenoidal Surgery

Objective： To explore the pituitary function of acute pituitary apoplexy and its effect by transsphenoidal surgery. Methods： The clinical data and endocrine hormones level of 25 patients with acute pituitary apoplexy who underwent transsphenoidal surgery from Jan. 2002 to June 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Results： 13 cases underwent surgery within 3 days after admission and 22 cases within 1 week. Of the 25 cases, 9 patients suffered the impairment of pituitary-thyroidal function, 14 cases of pituitary-adrenal function and 11 cases of pituitary-gonadal function before surgery. After surgery, 5/9, 8/14 and 7/11 were recovered from the corresponding hypopituitarism. Conclusion： Hypopituitarism is a major manifestation of acute pituitary apoplexy. Urgent surgery decompression contributed to the improvement of pituitary function. Patients with hypopituitarism after surgery required the corresponding hormones replacement therapy.

Transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma

Objective Typically,the transcranial approach has been used for the treatment of craniopharyngiomas with suprasellar extension,whereas the transsphenoidal approach has been used mostly for infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma.Total resection of craniopharyngioma can reduce the recurrence rate,especially in young children,but it may lead to severe complications.Therefore,any benefit of the degree of resection must be weighed against the risk of complications by the surgeons.The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic outcome after transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma and share our experiences.Methods Between January 2003 and June 2013,30 patients with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma underwent transsphenoidal microsurgical resection in our hospital.The neurological,visual,and endocrine functions,and extent of resection were analyzed retrospectively.Recurrence or growth of residual tumor tissue during follow-up was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Results Total resection was achieved in 25 patients(83.3%),subtotal resection was achieved in 4 patients(13.3%),and partial resection was achieved in 1 patient(3.4%).There were no perioperative deaths.Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leakage occurred in 6 patients,and among them,2 required surgical repair of the sella.New-onset postoperative diabetes insipidus(DI) developed in 8 patients.Vision and visual fields were improved at different levels in 13 out of 16 patients who had sight impediments before treatment.Tumor recurrence and regrowth was observed in 2 patients;1 patient underwent transsphenoidal reoperation,the condition of the other patient who had undergone several craniotomies grew worse over the 6-month follow-up period.Conclusion Transsphenoidal surgery is an ideal choice in treating infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma.The transsphenoidal approach,which preserves pituitary function and avoids damage to the hypothalamic structures and optic nerve,is associated with fewer complications than the transcranial approach and a low mortality rate.

Microsurgical Resection of Pituitary Adenoma via Single-Nostril Transsphenoidal Approach

OBJECTIVE To explore the methods and experience of thesingle-nostril transsphenoidal approach for treating pituitaryadenomas.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients whohad pituitary tumors and received surgery via the singlenostriltranssphenoidal approach and observed the effects andcomplications of surgery. The specific surgical methods are: a nasalspeculum is inserted slowly through the right nostril towards theanterior wall of the sphenoid sinus. A 1.5 cm incision is made intothe nasal mucosa in the right nasal cavity at the level of the middlenasal turbinate. By fracturing the bony septum, a space is formedbetween the bilateral nasal mucosa and the bony septum of thesphenoid sinus. Then, the inside of the sphenoid sinus is exposed.The remaining part of the bony septum, the anterior sphenoidsinus wall, and the sphenoid mucosa are gradually removed. Theanterior sphenoidotomy is less than 1.5 cm wide. After confirmingthe tumor by dural puncture, a cross incision of the dura is made,and the tumor is slowly removed by curette. The sella is usuallycollapsed and visible after the total tumor removal. When thetumor is resected satisfactorily, gelatin sponges are placed into theoperative cavity to stop bleeding.RESULTS Postoperative MRI scans revealed that among the 46cases, total resection of the tumor was achieved in 34 cases andsubtotal in 12. No deaths or disability occurred, and the hormonelevels of almost all patients improved. Signs of diabetes insipidusoccurred in 17, electrolyte disturbances in 5, and there were noreports of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.CONCLUSION The direct single nostril transsphenoidalapproach of continuous improvement has the advantages ofa convenient approach, simplified operation, safety and highefficiency.

ENDOSCOPY ASSISTED TRANSSPHENOIDAL PITUITARY SURGERY

Objective To discuss the surgical procedures and its advantages and disadvantages.Methods Theunilateral trans-septal endonasal approach was employed. Zero degree neuroendoscope was used for nasal mucosal dissection and exploration of anterior wall of sphenoid sinus. The sphenoidotomy was done with the anatomic landmark of inferior margin of middle turbinate and ostia . After the identification of internal carotid artery and optic nerve, the pituitary fossa was opened. Then cut the dura , the margin between adenoma and normal tissue was very clear under endoscope. tumor can be removed safely. There were two patients with suprasellar extension, 30-degree endoscope was used and excellent visualization and tumor removal were obtained. Results No severe complication occurred. Conclusion Endoscopic assisted transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is practical because the operation is done under excellent illumination and visualization.

Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery with one endonasal incision and modified repairation of sella floor

Objective To study the advantage of modified methods involving incision,repairation of the sella floor etc.in transsphenoidal approach for pituitury tumor removal.Methods The transsphenoidal approach with one endonasal incision of mucosa was performed for resecting pituitary tumor in 86 patients,of which total resection of the tumor in 67 cases and subtotal in 19 cases.Results There was no case with postoperative meningitis and rhinoseptal perforation.Tachocombs were used for repairation of the tumor resection cavection cavity and the sella floor,of which there was no case with postoperative CSF leakage happened.Conclusion These modified methods simplified operative procedurej Areduced damage and prevented postoperative complications of CSF leakage and rhinoseptal perforation etc.

Prospective study of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery： is tumor volume a predictor for the residual tumor？

Background The presence of residual tumor after surgery for pituitary adenoma may necessitate further treatment. The suprasellar and parasellar extension of the tumor have been widely considered as the predictors for residual tumor. However there is scarcity of studies regarding the preoperative tumor volume and residual tumor. This study was conducted to evaluate if tumor volume could predict the outcome of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Methods A prospective study was designed and 48 patients who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery within 1 year in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi＇an Jiaotong University were included in this study. The preoperative tumor volume and immediate postoperative tumor volume （within 4-7 days） were calculated in the contrast magnetic resonance imaging by using the formula of ellipsoid. All these volumes were divided into three subgroups, i.e. group 1, group 2 and group 3 with preoperative volume of less than 4 cm3, 4-8 cm3, and more than 8 cm3 respectively. The parasellar and suprasellar extension of the tumor were also classified by Knosp and modified Hardy＇s classifications. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable. The preoperative tumor volume of more than 8 cm3 （group 3, （12.1±1.1） cm3） had increased risk on postoperative tumor residue （P 〈0.01） than the other two groups （（2.1±0.3） cm3 and （6.1±0.3） cm3 in groups 1 and 2）. The mean postoperative volume in group 3 patients （（2.2±0.1） cm3） was significantly higher than the other two groups （P 〈0.01）. Conclusion Preoperative volume of more than 8 cm3 can be considered as a predictor for postoperative residual volume.

Transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenoma： surgical technique of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Although presented over one hundred years ago, the transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenoma is still the most suitable and safe route to pituitary adenoma, with a series of significant evolutional steps. The transsphenoidal approach to pituitary adenoma is still a non-universal approach used in different centers of different areas in our country. The transsphenoidal approach has a number of variations, including the endonasal rhinoseptoplastic, transnasal displacement,

A new plastic model of endoscopic technique training for endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

Background Endoscopic transsphenoidal approach is a minimally invasive surgical technique for the removal of sellar and parasellar lesions, which has been progressively accepted by neurosurgeons. However, frustration is often expressed by neurosurgeons when first attempting endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery. To overcome the learning curve from microscope to endoscope in a smooth way, a new human nasal model has been developed. The present study assessed this new model of the human paranasal sinuses for endonasal surgery training, particularly for endonasal pituitary surgery training. Methods The procedure for endonasat transsphenoidal endoscopy was performed using this model. Three approaches were used to observe the endonasal structures and sphenoidal sinus： paraseptal; middle turbinectomy; and middle meatal. Attempts were made to identify anatomical landmarks in the nasal cavity and sphenoidal sinus. Model landmarks were compared with those in a cadaver and a real patient. Results This model precisely reproduced nasal bone structure. Compared with cadavers and living bodies, intranasal structures displayed very good color and texture, providing a close facsimile of the operative environment, and good morphology, with similar hardness and tactile feel on resection. All intranasal anatomical landmarks were easily identified, including choanae, inferior, middle and superior turbinates, and even the natural ostium of the sphenoidal sinus. Conclusion This human nasal model is very useful for training neurosurgeons in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, but typical anatomical landmarks in the posterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus in this model should be improved.