Outcome Of Pituitary Apoplexy Research Articles

Effectiveness of endoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary apoplexy: A comprehensive evaluation of presentation and clinical outcomes from a tertiary care center

BackgroundThe management of pituitary apoplexy (PA) is under debate. Therefore, we studied the clinical manifestations and neuroendocrine outcomes of PA after surgical management, as well as the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA). MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted between January 2013 and May 2021, and included 62 cases of pituitary adenoma apoplexy that were managed with EETA. ResultsData from 62 patients were analyzed with a mean age of 50.7 ± 10.9 years, 90.3 % of whom were female. On admission, most patients presented with abrupt onset severe headache and vomiting, associated with endocrine dysfunction in 43.5 % and deteriorated visual acuity in 92 %. Third nerve palsy was the most noted ocular nerve palsy. After using EETA, the adenoma was resected totally, subtotally, and partially in 59.7 %, 29 %, and 11.3 % of the cases, respectively. Postoperative improvement in visual acuity was achieved in 90.3 % of patients, unchanged in 6.5 % with vision defects, and deteriorated in 3.2 %. Endocrine dysfunction improved to 19.3 % after being 43.5 %. Six patients (9.6 %) experienced transient diabetes insipidus (DI) that responded completely to desmopressin therapy for a time, and three cases were complicated with CSF leakage after the operation, but it resolved completely. No intracranial infection, carotid artery injury, or death occurred. ConclusionDespite the availability of alternative treatment options, the surgical intervention by EETA remains the most effective and reliable method for managing patients with PA who present with sudden visual or endocrine symptoms. EETA has been shown to result in significant improvements in both visual and endocrine function, with an acceptable complication rate that can be managed effectively in many cases. As such, EETA continues to represent the cornerstone in the management of PA and should be considered the first-line treatment option for amenable patients.

Outcomes of pituitary apoplexy: a comparison of microadenomas and macroadenomas

We aimed to assess clinical characteristics of apoplexy of pituitary microadenomas compared to macroadenomas. We retrieved clinical records of patients > 18years old, hospitalized in Rambam hospital between January 2001 and October 2017, with pituitary apoplexy and follow-up of at least one year. We compared clinical course and outcomes of apoplexy between patients with microadenomas and macroadenomas, and between patients who received conservative or surgical treatment. Statistical analysis was done using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Twenty-seven patients with pituitary apoplexy were included in the final analysis: mean age was 40.7 ± 12.5 years, 13(48%) were female, 7(26%) had microadenomas, and 21(78%) harbored clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Upon admission, hyponatremia, random cortisol level of < 200nmol/L, and secondary hypothyroidism, were evident in 6/20, 8/18, and 4/18 patients with macroadenoma and 1/5, 2/5, and 1/6 patients with microadenoma, respectively (P = 1.0). Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was evident in 9/12 men with macroadenoma. In 12 macroadenoma patients, the tumor abutted the optic chiasm, of whom eight had visual field defects. Fifteen patients with macroadenoma and two with microadenoma underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Median follow-up was 3years. At last follow-up visit, patients with microadenoma had lower rates of corticotropic deficiency or secondary hypothyroidism compared to macroadenoma patients (1/7 vs. 13/20 respectively, p = 0.033). Only two patients with macroadenomas had persistent visual field defects. Outcomes were comparable between conservative and surgical treatment groups. Long term pituitary hormone deficiencies are more common in pituitary apoplexy patients with macroadenomas. Apoplexy of pituitary microadenoma carries a more favorable prognosis.

Outcomes of pituitary apoplexy: A comparison of microadenomas and macroadenomas

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

The Outcomes of Pituitary Apoplexy with Conservative Treatment: Experiences at a Single Institution

Pituitary apoplexy is an unpredictable complication caused by hemorrhage or infarction in a pituitary adenoma. We retrospectively analyzed the radiologic and clinical outcomes of patients with conservatively managed pituitary apoplexy. A total of 32 patients who had undergone conservative treatment with high-dose corticosteroid replacement were enrolled in this study. This cohort study consisted of 20 male and 12 female patients. The median patient age was 60 years. Five patients had a previously diagnosed pituitary tumor, and one third of the patients had a history of hypertension. The median follow-up duration was 50 months. The median tumor volumes at the initial and final assessments were 2.75 cm3 (range, 0.32-10.7 cm3) and 0.64 cm3 (range, 0-8.74 cm3), respectively. Complete radiographic regression occurred in 9 of the 32 patients, partial regression occurred in 14 patients, and no change in size or progression occurred in 9 patients. Eighteen of the 32 patients had visual disturbances at the initial presentation; in this subgroup, 17 patients showed improvement over the course of the study. One patient had newly developed diplopia related to tumor progression. Nineteen of the 32 patients had ≥1 hormonal deficiency at the initial assessment, 8 of whom recovered to normal endocrine status. Three patients developed a new hormonal deficiency during the follow-up, and 3 patients experienced tumor recurrence. This study showed the regression of tumors related to pituitary apoplexy, with favorable ophthalmologic and endocrinologic recovery. Conservative management should be considered in patients without severe or progressive neuro-ophthalmic deficits.

Pituitary adenoma apoplexy

We present 3 cases of pituitary adenoma apoplexy in young women (one microadenoma and two macroadenomas). The possible risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome of pituitary apoplexy are discussed. Diagnostic errors as regards pituitary adenoma apoplexy are analyzed.

Pituitary apoplexy - bespoke patient management allows good clinical outcome.

To describe the clinical presentation, management and outcome of pituitary apoplexy from a single centre and retrospectively apply the Pituitary Apoplexy Score (PAS). Retrospective review of patients presenting with classical pituitary apoplexy to a single neurosurgical centre in the Greater Manchester region. A total of 31 cases with classical pituitary apoplexy were identified between 2005 and 2014. The mean age at presentation was 55 years, and there were 19 men. In only one patient was there prior knowledge of a pituitary adenoma. Eleven (35%) patients were managed conservatively and 20 (65%) patients managed surgically. Emergency surgery was carried out in 11 patients. At presentation, visual symptoms were present in a higher proportion of patients in the surgical group (90%) compared to the conservatively managed group (64%). At final follow-up, visual recovery was apparent in most patients in both the surgical (100%) and conservatively (86%) managed groups. The proportion of patients with hypopituitarism was high in both the surgical (86%) and conservative (73%) groups at presentation, and this failed to improve at final follow-up (90% vs 73%, respectively). The median PAS scores were higher in the surgical (PAS 2), compared to the conservatively managed group (PAS 0). In pituitary apoplexy patients managed conservatively or surgically, there is good recovery of visual symptoms but not endocrine function. Patients should be managed on a case-by-case basis based on the severity of symptoms at presentation, progression of disease and surgical expertise available. Further prospective studies using the PAS are required to determine its usefulness in clinical practice.

Management and outcomes of pituitary apoplexy

This study was undertaken to analyze the predisposing factors, clinical presentation, therapeutic management, and clinical recovery in patients with pituitary apoplexy, with an emphasis on the long-term visual, endocrine, and functional outcomes. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive cases involving patients treated at Mayo Clinic between 1992 and 2013. Patients were included in the study only if they had 1) abrupt onset of severe headache or visual disturbance in the presence of a pituitary adenoma and 2) radiological or surgical confirmation of a pituitary mass. The primary endpoints of analysis were the visual (ocular motility, visual fields, and visual acuity), endocrine, and functional outcomes (using the modified Rankin Scale). Eighty-seven patients were identified (57 males and 30 females, mean age 50.9 years, range 15-91 years). Twenty-two patients (25.3%) had a known pituitary adenoma. Hypertension was the most common associated factor (39%). Headache was the most frequent presenting symptom (89.7%), followed by visual abnormalities (47.1%). Cranial nerve palsies were present in 39% and visual field defects in 34.1%. MRI detected hemorrhage in 89% patients, as compared with 42% detected by CT scan. Sixty-one patients (70.1%) underwent surgery during acute hospitalization (median time from apoplexy 5 days, IQR 3-10 days), 8 (9.2%) had delayed surgery, and 18 (20.7%) were treated conservatively. Histopathological examination revealed adenoma with pure necrosis in 18 (30%), pure hemorrhage in 4 (6.7%), and both in 6 (10%) patients. Four patients died during hospitalization. The average duration of follow-up was 44.2 ± 43.8 months. All survivors were independent and had complete resolution or substantial improvement in eye movements and visual fields at the last follow-up. Many patients needed long-term hormonal replacement with levothyroxine (62.7%) and cortisol (60%). Daily desmopressin was needed in 23% of all surgical patients at 3 months (versus none of the medically treated) and this requirement decreased slightly over time. Regrowth of pituitary adenoma was seen in 7 patients (8.6%). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the outcome measures across the treatment groups. The outcome of most patients with pituitary apoplexy is excellent. Selected patients can be managed conservatively, and patients with severe neuro-ophthalmological deficits treated with early surgery can achieve an excellent recovery.

Pituitary Apoplexy in Nonfunctioning Pituitary Macroadenomas: A Case-Control Study

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is an endocrinologic emergency characterized by headache, visual abnormalities, and hemodynamic instability in the context of hemorragic infarction of a pituitary adenoma. Our goal was to estimate the incidence, precipitating factors, clinical characteristics, and outcome of PA in a cohort of patients with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMAs). A retrospective, case-control study of 46 patients with PA and 47 controls matched for age, gender, and tumor invasiveness. Clinical, hormonal, and tumoral charactersitics, as well as the presence of potential precipitating factors and long-term outcome were evaluated using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. The prevalence of PA was 8%. Cases and controls were similar in regards to the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, use of antiplatelet agents, and the presence of headaches and visual field defects. Oculomotor paralysis was present in 18% of cases and in none of the controls (P = .001). Prior use of dopamine agonists was significantly more frequent among cases than in controls on both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Pituitary hormone deficiencies were more common among cases than in controls on bivariate but not on multivariate analysis. Early and late surgical treatment was carried out in 11 and 25 patients, respectively; 11 patients were managed conservatively. Visual and endocrine outcomes were similar among the 3 groups. PA represents a life-threatening medical emergency. Prior use of dopamine agonists and the presence of oculomotor abnormalities clearly distinguished patients with NFPMA who developed PA from those who did not.

Pituitary apoplexy: re-evaluation of risk factors for bleeding into pituitary adenomas and impact on outcome

To assess frequency, symptoms and outcome of pituitary apoplexy (PA) among pituitary adenoma patients, to gain better insight into risk factors for bleeding into pituitary adenoma and to estimate the sequelae of PA by means of a matched control group. By reviewing charts of 574 patients with pituitary adenoma, we analysed incidence, symptoms and outcome of PA and potential risk factors for developing PA by means of a control group (patients with pituitary adenoma without PA). In total, 42 suffered from PA, all had macroadenomas; 30/217 male (14%) and 12/179 female (7%) macroadenoma patients, 32/194 patients with clinically non-functioning (16.5%) and 10/202 with clinically active (5.0%) macroadenoma were affected. Antithrombotic therapy predisposed patients to PA (P=0.026), diabetes mellitus and hypertension did not (P=1.00). Patients with PA and pituitary adenoma patients without PA had similar frequencies of hypopituitarism (45 vs 48%, P>0.05) and visual field defects (38 vs 55%, P>0.05), but ophthalmoplegia was significantly more common (76 vs 5%, P<0.001) in patients with PA. Nearly all patients were treated by surgery; most recovered from ophthalmoplegia, whereas visual function improved only moderately. Endocrine outcome was worse in patients with PA than in patients without PA. Male sex and characteristics of the adenoma itself (especially tumour size and tumour type) rather than patient's cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension seem to predispose to PA; antithrombotic therapy may also be important.