Prevalence of cerebral aneurysm in patients with acromegaly

Clinical characteristics and treatment strategies for pituitary adenoma associated with intracranial aneurysm

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate clinical features and treatment strategies for intracranial aneurysm (IA) associated with pituitary adenoma (PA).

METHODS

We enrolled patients with lesions in the sellar region and age-matched general population who were confirmed with IA from two hospitals. Four types of treatment strategies were performed, which included Type I (both IA and PA were treated with surgery), Type II (IA was treated with surgery and PA was performed by non-surgical treatment), Type III (PA was performed with surgery and observation was available for IA) and Type IV (both IA and PA were performed with non-surgical treatment).

RESULTS

The incidence of IA was 2.2% in the general population, 6.1% in patients with PA, 4.3% in patients with Rathke cleft cyst, 2.8% in patients with meningioma and none were found with IA in patients with craniopharyngioma. Age over 50 years (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.20-6.04; P = 0.016), female (OR, 3.83, P = 0.003), and invasive tumor (OR, 3.26, P = 0.003) were associated with a higher incidence of IA in patients with PA. During the mean follow-up of 49.2 months, no patients experienced stroke, and recurrence of aneurysms and aneurysms treated with observation were stable. Of four patients with recurrence of PA, three patients were treated for type I and one patient for type III.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative evaluation for aneurysm screening is necessary due to the high incidence of IA in PA patients. Our current treatment strategies may provide a benefit for these patients.

Formation of internal carotid artery aneurysms following gamma knife radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas: a case series and literature review

Only two aneurysm formations in the internal carotid artery after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for pituitary adenomas are reported so far. Here, out of the 482 patients who underwent GKRS for pituitary adenomas at our institute, at least five developed aneurysms within the area of high single-dose irradiation. Three patients presented with epistaxis due to aneurysmal rupture and one presented with abducens paralysis due to nerve compression, while one was asymptomatic. The interval between irradiation and aneurysmal detection ranged from 14 to 21 years. Aneurysm formation in those conditions may be higher than previously thought.

Vascular anomalies in patients with growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas: illustrative case report and systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

Endonasal resection is the first-line treatment for patients harboring growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas. The complexity of the parasellar neurovascular structures makes pre-operative diagnostic imaging essential to understanding the anatomy of this region. We aimed to describe vascular anomalies in acromegalic patients and emphasize their relevance for surgery and preoperative planning.

METHODS

A systematic review following the PRISMA statement was performed in July 2021.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were evaluated. Elevated GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels are linked to the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors. This is attributed to endothelial dysfunction, mainly caused by changes in flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), which is probably the main cause of vascular anomalies in acromegaly. The occurrence of protrusions of the internal carotid artery (ICA) (35-53%), a narrow intercarotid distance, and an asymmetrical course was described. In 13-18% of acromegalic patients, the presence of an intracerebral aneurysm could be reported (incidence in the general population:0.8-1.3%). The selected studies were however performed with a small patient sample (range:1-257). We present a case report of a 57y/o male patient with anomalies of the ICA ("kissing carotid arteries") harboring a GH-secreting adenoma, which was resected via an endoscopic endonasal approach.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an association between acromegaly and endothelial dysfunction, which increases cardiovascular risk factors and vascular anomalies. Preoperative vascular imaging, e.g., CT angiography, should be implemented as a standard to identify patients at risk and estimate surgical morbidity. However, no evidence-based recommendations exist so far, so future studies are necessary.

Management dilemma in a rare case of pituitary apoplexy with akinetic mutism in the setting of ruptured junctional brain aneurysm: A case report and literature review

Backgound

Pituitary apoplexy is associated with stroke, head injury, and brain tumors. Still, its presentation due to the ruptured aneurysm is rare and its presentation with akinetic mutism has not been reported.

Case Description

The patient in the present study is 21-year-old female who presented in our emergency department in an altered sensorium with Glasgow comma score (GCS) E2V1M1. She was intubated and resuscitated. Routine blood investigations, lipid profile, and hormonal studies were normal. Initial noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) head revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the interhemispheric fissure and evidence of bleeding in the pituitary gland. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was soon done, which showed an infarct and hemorrhage in the pituitary gland; there was an evidence of an infarct in the bilateral medial frontal gyrus, basal ganglia, and supplementary motor area. MR arteriography revealed an aneurysm at the left A1-anterior communicating artery (Acom) junction directed superomedially with diffuse spasm in a bilateral anterior cerebral artery. Pterional craniotomy was done with clipping of the aneurysm and evacuation of blood clots from the interhemispheric fissure and pituitary gland. Histopathology features suggestive of the non-functioning pituitary tumor with interspersed hemorrhagic necrosis. Intraarterial vasodilation with microcatheter injection was given, but vasospasm did not improve. Postoperatively, Levodopa was started. She used to track objects in front of her eye and started nodding her head in "yes and no fashion," with power in limbs improved to 3/5 at 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Pituitary apoplexy with ruptured A1-Acom junction aneurysm with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma is rare, and its presentation with akinetic mutism has not been reported. As there is scarce literature suggesting an association between pituitary apoplexy and ruptured aneurysm, it is challenging to comment regarding its pathogenesis. Although akinetic mutism generally has a poor prognosis, it may respond to Levodopa with a better outcome.

Coexistence of neurovascular compression syndrome and unruptured cerebral aneurysm

Unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) are usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally by intracranial examinations. The coexistence of neurovascular compression syndrome (NVCS) and UCAs has not been well described. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of UCAs with the NVCS. A total of 103 cases that underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) or hemifacial spasm (HFS) were assigned to the NVCS group. The prevalence of UCAs in the NVCS group was compared retrospectively to that in 110 control cases (a control group) by neuro-imaging. Overall treatment courses for NVCS and UCAs were investigated in the NVCS group. Sixteen (15.3%; TN 11 cases, HFS 5 cases) of 103 MVD cases had 19 UCAs, a significantly higher prevalence than the 3.6% in the control group. Binomial logistic regression showed that NVCS is a significant factor for predicting the presence of UCAs, with an odds ratio of 4.80. In the NVCS group, 18 UCAs (94.7%) were supratentorial aneurysms, and 17 UCAs (89.5%) were less than 5 mm in size. Nine UCAs were surgically treated with clipping or coiling. Of the surgical cases, 2 UCAs were treated before MVD for NVCS, whereas the other 7 UCAs were treated after MVD. No aneurysms ruptured during the treatment course. The NVCS occurred with UCAs at a significantly higher rate than in the control group. Most UCAs with the NVCS were supratentorial, small aneurysms that did not affect the surgical treatment of NVCS.

Pituitary Adenomas Associated with Intracranial Aneurysms: the Clinical Characteristics, Therapeutic Strategies, and Possible Effects of Vascular Remodeling Factors

Background Pituitary adenoma coexists with intracranial aneurysms in 2.3 to 3.6% of cases, and intracranial aneurysms are thought to be incidental. On the other hand, older age and cavernous sinus invasion are reported to increase the rate of coexistence, so these two diseases may be related.

Methods Ten males and 14 females with the coexistence of pituitary adenomas and intracranial aneurysms were retrospectively investigated among 923 patients (2.6%). Patients were subdivided into two groups: those with direct attachment of cerebral aneurysms to the pituitary adenomas and those without direct attachment. The clinical characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and possible effects of vascular remodeling factors were investigated.

Results Twelve patients had functioning pituitary adenomas, and cavernous sinus invasion was identified in 7 of 24 patients. Five of these 7 patients were treated with priority for the cerebral aneurysm until 2007, whereas 14 of 17 patients without involvement of the aneurysm tip in the tumor were treated with priority for the pituitary adenoma in the later period. Among vascular remodeling factors, strong expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly associated with the coexistence of pituitary adenoma and cerebral aneurysm (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Intracranial aneurysms were found to coexist in 2.6% of cases of surgically treated pituitary adenomas. VEGF-induced arterial wall remodeling may be part of the mechanism of association between pituitary adenomas and cerebral aneurysms, suggesting possible causative mechanism.

A Giant Pituitary Adenoma Can Coexist with an Incidental Aneurysm: Look Beyond the Pituitary Adenoma and Don't Miss the Diagnosis

An intracranial aneurysm in a pituitary adenoma (PA) is not uncommon; however, preoperative angiography is not clinically used as a routine screening test for PA patients. Therefore an intracranial aneurysm is often missed while diagnosing PA patients. When an aneurysm is missed in patients with pituitary tumors, the supporting power by the tumor to the blood vessels or aneurysm will disappear when the tumor is removed and patients may suffer intraoperative or postoperative aneurysm rupture, which may lead to fatal, catastrophic hemorrhage. Herein, we report a case of a PA patient with the signal shadow of vessel flow void, observed vaguely in the right internal carotid artery cavernous segment on magnetic resonance imaging, and a small aneurysm was found via digital subtraction angiography. In order to ensure the safety of surgery, we first performed embolization of the aneurysm and then resected the tumor.

Ruptured aneurysm–induced pituitary apoplexy: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Pituitary apoplexy associated with aneurysmal rupture is extremely rare and may be misdiagnosed as primary pituitary adenoma apoplexy. The authors present a case of a patient with pituitary apoplexy caused by rupture of an anterior cerebral artery aneurysm embedded within a giant pituitary adenoma, and they review the relevant literature.

OBSERVATIONS

A 78-year-old man experienced sudden headache with progressive vision loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant pituitary tumor with abnormal signal intensity. Magnetic resonance angiography immediately before surgery showed a right A1 segment aneurysm, suggesting coexisting pituitary apoplexy and ruptured aneurysm. The patient underwent urgent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary apoplexy. The tumor was partially removed, but the perianeurysmal component was left behind. Subsequent cerebral angiography showed a 5-mm right A1 aneurysm with a bleb that was successfully embolized with coils. Retrospective review of preoperative dynamic MRI showed extravasation of contrast medium from the ruptured aneurysm into the pituitary adenoma. Histopathologic examination showed gonadotroph adenoma with hemorrhagic necrosis. Postoperatively, the patient’s visual function improved.

LESSONS

MRI identification of pituitary apoplexy caused by aneurysmal rupture has not been reported previously. Aneurysmal rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy. When a ruptured aneurysm is encountered, the authors recommend treating it before addressing pituitary apoplexy.

Contemporaneous Clipping of Unruptured Anterior Cerebral Artery Proximal A1 Segment Aneurysm and Resection of Dural-Based Brain Tumor

The coexistence of brain tumors and unruptured intracranial aneurysms is uncommon, so there is limited data regarding management strategies for these cases. Tumor, aneurysm, and patient factors must be considered in the decision-making process. We present a case of a dural-based left temporal brain tumor with an incidental ipsilateral unruptured anterior cerebral artery (ACA) proximal A1 segment aneurysm.

A 56-year-old female presented with progressive headaches and convulsions without focal neurological deficits. Neuroimaging showed a large dural-based left temporal tumor with adjacent vasogenic edema. The patient underwent a cerebral angiography for preoperative tumor embolization, which revealed a small, unruptured intracranial aneurysm arising from the left ACA proximal A1 segment. We performed a left frontotemporal craniotomy for concurrent resection of the dural-based tumor and clipping of the left A1 aneurysm. She elected to proceed, so she underwent a left-sided craniotomy for tumor resection and clipping of the aneurysm. Postoperatively, the patient developed transient, mild right-sided hemiparesis from a left anterior thalamic infarct that resolved before discharge. Follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging and catheter cerebral angiography showed gross total resection of the tumor and complete aneurysm obliteration, respectively. Patients with dual diagnoses of a brain tumor and intracranial aneurysm can be challenging to manage. When intervention is indicated for each lesion and both can be safely accessed from the same operative approach, contemporaneous surgical treatment of the tumor and aneurysm is reasonable in appropriately selected cases.

Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME) and Italian AACE Chapter Position Statement for Clinical Practice: Acromegaly - Part 1: Diagnostic and Clinical Issues

Acromegaly is a rare disease. Improvements in lifespan in these patients have recently been reported due to transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), advances in medical therapy, and strict criteria for defining disease remission. This document reports the opinions of a group of Italian experts who have gathered together their prolonged clinical experience in the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of acromegaly patients. Both GH and IGF-I (only IGF-I in those treated with Pegvisomant) are needed in the diagnosis and follow-up. Comorbidities (cardio-cerebrovascular disease, sleep apnea, metabolic derangement, neoplasms, and bone/joint disease) should be specifically addressed. Any newly diagnosed patient should be referred to a multidisciplinary team experienced in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

The Change in Distance Between Bilateral Internal Carotid Arteries in Acromegaly and Its Risk Factors

Background: Studies investigating the change in distance between the bilateral internal carotid arteries (ICAs) in acromegalic patients have provided ambiguous results. The influencing factors of these changes have not been well-identified. Objective: To further investigate the change in distance between bilateral ICAs in acromegaly patients and identify the influencing factors of the change. Method: Patients diagnosed as acromegaly from Jan 2016 to Sep 2019 in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, were included in this study. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) data were obtained for all patients for three-dimensional reconstruction of the ICAs. Distance between bilateral ICAs was measured and recorded for assessment. Result: 172 patients including 86 cases with acromegaly in the study group and 86 cases with non-functional pituitary adenoma in the control group were enrolled in this study. The difference of adenoma sizes between two groups was not statistically significant. Patients in acromegaly group had significantly larger maximum distances between bilateral siphon carotid ectasias (25.5 ± 4.1 vs. 23.4 ± 3.5 mm, P = 0.001) and between bilateral lacerum segments (26.2 ± 3.2 vs. 24.1 ± 4.3 mm, P < 0.001) compared with those of patients with non-functional pituitary adenomas. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased bilateral ICAs distance was associated with disease duration (odds ratio = 1.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.02, P = 0.005) and refractory pituitary adenoma (odds ratio = 9.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-88.7, P = 0.043) but not with level of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and adenoma size in acromegaly. Conclusion: Our study showed significant change in distance between the bilateral ICAs in acromegalic patients, comparing to patients with non-functional pituitary adenomas. The increased intercarotid artery distance is associated with disease duration but not with preoperative level of GH and IGF-1. Refractory pituitary adenoma and longer disease duration are the both risk factors of the increased ICAs distance in patient with acromegly.

Intracranial vascular pathology in two further patients with Floating-Harbor syndrome: Proposals for cerebrovascular disease risk management

Floating-Harbor syndrome (FHS) is a rare, heritable disorder caused by variants in the SRCAP gene. Most individuals with FHS have characteristic facial features, short stature, and speech and language impairment. Although FHS has been likely under-diagnosed due to a combination of lack of recognition of the clinical phenotype and limited access to genomic testing, it is a rare condition with around 100 individuals reported in the medical literature. Case series have been biased towards younger individuals (vast majority <20 years of age) meaning that it has been challenging to provide accurate medical advice for affected individuals in adulthood. We report two young adults with FHS who presented with intracranial haemorrhage likely secondary to cerebrovascular aneurysms, with devastating consequences, making a total of four FHS patients reported with significant cerebrovascular abnormalities. Three of four patients had hypertension, at least one in conjunction with normal renal structure. We consider possible relationships between hypertension, renal pathology and aneurysms in the context of FHS, and consider mechanisms through which disruption of the SRCAP protein may lead to vascular pathology. We recommend that clinicians should have a low threshold to investigate symptoms suggestive of cerebrovascular disease in FHS. We advise that patients with FHS should have annual blood pressure monitoring from adolescence, renal ultrasound at diagnosis repeated in adulthood, and timely investigation of any neurological symptoms. For patients with FHS, particularly with hypertension, we advise that clinicians should consider at least one MRA (Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Angiography) to check for cerebral aneurysms.

The Endothelium in Acromegaly

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) excess induce well-known deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, especially after long-term exposition. Acromegaly, a condition of chronic GH and IGF-1 hypersecretion, is frequently associated to cardiovascular complications, although recent studies have shown a reduction in the prevalence of these comorbidities in well-controlled patients and a mortality risk similar to normal aging population. Many factors could contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk of acromegaly patients. Among these factors, the endothelium plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques and could be considered an early marker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular dysfunction. In this review we examined the relationship between GH/IGF-1 excess and the endothelium, from basic studies to clinical evidence. Many studies involving various arterial districts (microvascular arteries of retina, kidney and brain, and major vessels as carotid and aorta) showed that GH/IGF-1 excess promotes endothelial dysfunction via several different mechanisms. Increased endothelial proliferation, dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells, increased oxidative stress, and compromised oxidative defenses are the main factors that are associated with endothelial dysfunction. In the general population, these alterations are associated with the development of atherosclerosis with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular complications. However, in acromegaly this is still a debated issue, despite the presence of many pro-atherogenic factors and comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and metabolic syndrome. Preclinical markers of atherosclerosis as arterial intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity and flow mediated dilation seem to be impaired in acromegaly and partly mediated by the endothelium dysfunction. In conclusion, the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction in the condition of GH and IGF-1 excess remains a crucial area of investigation to fully dissect the association of acromegaly with cardiovascular disease complications.

Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors Are Associated with a Greater Incidence of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors are associated with a greater incidence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

METHODS

Patients with intracranial tumors (ITs) undergoing computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled in an observational cohort study that prospectively collected age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, cerebral arteriosclerosis, tumor type, tumor location, hydrocephalus, smoking, alcohol intake, CPA tumor size, cerebral aneurysms, and cerebral arteriosclerosis. Patients with the coexistence of IA and ITwere classified as group II, whereas the others with IT as group I.

RESULTS

We included 1218 patients with IT for analysis. The incidence of IA was 7.1% (86/1218). A total of 31% of patients with aneurysms had CPA tumors. In a multivariate logistic regression model, a greater incidence of IA was found in female patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.726, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.050-2.836, P=0.031) and in patients with CPA tumors (OR 3.002, 95% CI 1.822-4.947, P=0.000) after adjustment for tumor type, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and age. In female patients, CPA tumors were a unique independent risk factor of a greater incidence of IA (OR 2.270, 95% CI 1.194-4.317, P=0.012). Furthermore, cerebral arteriosclerosis was a unique independent risk factor of IA in patients with CPA tumors (OR 7.626, 95% CI 2.928-19.860, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the hypothesis that CPA tumors are associated with a greater incidence of unruptured IAs, especially in female patients. Cerebral arteriosclerosis contributed to elevated risk of IA in patients with CPA tumors.

Coexistence of intracranial epidermoid tumor and multiple cerebral aneurysms: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

There were a few case reports concerning epidermoid tumor coexisted with multiple cerebral aneurysms. Here, we present one case of coexistence of intracranial epidermoid tumor and multiple cerebral aneurysms and performed a literature review.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 42 years old male patient was admitted to our institution with complaints of headache and dizziness.

INTERVENTIONS

The radiological examinations showed a hypointense lesion in the right parasellar and petrous apex region and an ipsilateral saccular aneurysm originated from the M2-M3 junction of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and a saccular aneurysm of the clinoid segment of right internal carotid artery (ICA).

INTERVENTIONS

The patients underwent a right frontotemporal approach for removal of the epidermoid tumor and clipping of the MCA aneurysm in one stage. The aneurysm located at the clinoid segment of ICA was invisible and untreated during operation.

OUTCOMES

No postoperative complications were found in the patient. The patient's follow up after 5 years of surgical treatment was uneventful, and the untreated aneurysm remains stable.

LESSONS

The coexistence of intracranial epidermoid tumor and cerebral aneurysm is a rare event. The secondly inflammation in cerebral arterial wall may be responsible for the aneurysm formation. Surgical treatment of the intracranial epidermoid tumor and cerebral aneurysm repair may be an optimal scheme in one stage.

Preoperative Coiling of Coexisting Intracranial Aneurysm and Subsequent Brain Tumor Surgery

Objective

Few studies have investigated treatment strategies for brain tumor with a coexisting unruptured intracranial aneurysm (cUIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative coiling for cUIA, and subsequent brain tumor surgery.

Materials and Methods

A total of 19 patients (mean age, 55.2 years; M:F = 4:15) underwent preoperative coiling for 23 cUIAs and subsequent brain tumor surgery. Primary brain tumors were meningiomas (n = 7, 36.8%), pituitary adenomas (n = 7, 36.8%), gliomas (n = 3, 15.8%), vestibular schwannoma (n = 1, 5.3%), and Rathke's cleft cyst (n = 1, 5.3%). cUIAs were located at the distal internal carotid artery (n = 9, 39.1%), anterior cerebral artery (n = 8, 34.8%), middle cerebral artery (n = 4, 17.4%), basilar artery top (n = 1, 4.3%), and posterior cerebral artery, P1 segment (n = 1, 4.3%). The outcomes of preoperative coiling of cUIA and subsequent brain tumor surgery were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Single-microcatheter technique was used in 13 cases (56.5%), balloon-assisted in 4 cases (17.4%), double-microcatheter in 4 cases (17.4%), and stent-assisted in 2 cases (8.7%). Complete cUIA occlusion was achieved in 18 cases (78.3%), while residual neck occurred in 5 cases (21.7%). The only coiling-related complication was 1 transient ischemic attack (5.3%). Neurological deterioration did not occur in any patient during the period between coiling and tumor surgery. At the latest clinical follow-up (mean, 29 months; range, 2–120 months), 15 patients (78.9%) had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale, 0–2), while 4 patients (21.1%) had unfavorable outcomes due to consequences of brain tumor surgery.

Conclusion

Preoperative coiling and subsequent tumor surgery was safe and effective, making it a reasonable treatment option for patients with brain tumor and cUIA.

The chronic syndromes after previous treatment of pituitary tumours

Ultimately, almost all patients who are appropriately treated for pituitary tumours enter a chronic phase with control or cure of hormonal excess, adequate treatment of pituitary insufficiency and relief of mass effects. This phase is associated with improvement of initial signs and symptoms, but also with the persistent consequences of the initial disease and associated treatments. Pituitary insufficiency is a common denominator in many of these patients, and is associated with a reduction in quality of life, despite adequate endocrine substitution. Hypothalamic dysfunction can be present in patients previously treated for visual impairments caused by large suprasellar adenomas, or craniopharyngiomas. In addition to hypopituitarism, these patients can have multisystem morbidities caused by altered hypothalamic function, including weight gain and disturbed regulation of sleep-wake cycles. Mortality can also be affected. Patients cured of Cushing disease or acromegaly have chronic multisystem morbidities (in the case of Cushing disease, also affecting mortality) caused by irreversible effects of the previous excesses of cortisol in Cushing disease and growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 in acromegaly. In addition to early diagnosis and treatment of pituitary tumours, research should focus on the amenability of these chronic post-treatment syndromes to therapeutic intervention, to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Intracranial internal carotid artery changes in acromegaly: a quantitative magnetic resonance angiography study

PURPOSE

Although cerebrovascular mortality is increased up to eightfold in acromegaly, intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) changes have not been well investigated. This is a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) quantitative cross-sectional study of ICA tortuosity, ectasia and intercarotid distance in acromegalic patients with subsequent analysis of concomitant clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings.

METHODS

One hundred seventy six acromegalic patients (mean-age 55 ± 14 years, age range 21-88, 92 females) and 104 subjects with headache or transient neurological deficits underwent MRA with the same 1.5 T scanner. Clinical data, laboratory and pituitary adenoma imaging findings were recorded. Using a commercially available software, we measured the tortuosity index [(curved/linear ICA length from C3-midpoint to intracranial bifurcation) - 1], ICA ectasia index (intracavernous/petrous ICA diameter) and intercarotid distance at C3 and C4 levels.

RESULTS

Mean ICA tortuosity and ectasia indices were increased in acromegalic patients compared with controls (1.06 ± 0.29 vs 0.93 ± 0.26, p < 0.001; 1.02 ± 0.10 vs 0.92 ± 0.09, p < 0.001). Mean intercarotid distance was reduced at C3 and increased at C4 in acromegalic patients (16.7 ± 3.4 vs 17.9 ± 2.5 mm, p < 0.001; 16.7 ± 4.6 vs 15.4 ± 4.1 mm, p < 0.05; t test). ICA tortuosity and ectasia correlated neither with laboratory findings nor with previous or current treatment. On multivariate analysis, C3 intercarotid distance was reduced in patients on dopamine agonist treatment (p < 0.01) and increased in patients with GH-deficit (p = 0.01), while C4 intercarotid distance was increased with macroadenoma (p = 0.01) and reduced in patients under dopamine agonist (p < 0.01) or somatostatin analogue (p < 0.05) treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracranial ICA changes are common findings in acromegaly, and further studies focused on their possible clinical impact are needed.

Impact of insulin like growth factor-1 in development of coronary artery ectasia

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterized by inappropriate dilatation of the coronary vasculature. The mechanisms of CAE are not well known. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may make endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells more sensitive to the effects of growth hormone. In the present study, we hypothesized that IGF-1 may have an impact on the formation of ectasia and aneurysm in arterial system, and aimed to investigate the associations between the presence of CAE and serum IGF-1 levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography. The study included 2.980 subjects undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography. We selected 40 patients diagnosed with CAE as CAE group and 44 subjects with absolutely normal coronary arteries were assigned as normal control group. IGF-1 levels were measured in both groups of patients. Groups were similar in terms of age, sex and coronary artery disease risk factors. The serum IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in CAE patients with 109.64 ± 54.64 ng/mL than in controls with 84.76 ± 34.01 ng/mL (p=0.016). HDL levels were lower in ectasia group with 41.5 ± 10.7 mg/dL than controls with 47.7 ± 10.4 mg/dL (p=0.018). By means of logistic regression analysis, high IGF-1 and low HDL levels were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of CAE (p<0.02, p<0.016, respectively). The study revealed that there was a positive correlation between serum IGF-1 levels and presence of CAE, and high IGF-1 levels and low HDL levels were independent risk factors for the presence of CAE. Future studies are needed to confirm these results.

Diagnosis of acromegaly: state of the art

INTRODUCTION

Biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly relies on measurement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH). An elevated IGF-1 level above the age- and gender-specific normal range and nonsuppression of GH to oral glucose load to a nadir < 0.4 ng/ml in sensitive assays are currently considered diagnostic of acromegaly. Lack of normative data for both IGF-1 and GH across a wide range of populations and ethnicities, interassay and intraassay laboratory variability, pulsatility of GH secretion, and effects of medications and hormones may confound interpretation of these biochemical tests.

AREAS COVERED

Clinical situations in which acromegaly should be suspected and/or investigated. Strengths and limitations of current IGF-1/GH assays are discussed. Clinical scenarios with discordant GH suppression test and IGF-1 levels and, briefly, acromegaly in pregnancy, prolactin-cosecreting tumors, familial acromegaly, and nonpituitary acromegaly are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Serum IGF-1 is the cornerstone and in most cases the stand-alone test in the diagnosis and follow-up in patients with acromegaly. Diagnosis depends on the accurate and reliable measurement of serum IGF-1. GH suppression testing is currently used in limited clinical setting. Standardization of IGF-1 assay and development of normative data across a wide population base are needed. Newer bioassays for IGF-1 hold promise for future.

Fusiform dilatation of the cavernous carotid artery in acromegalic patients

BACKGROUND

Surgeons undertaking transsphenoidal surgery in patients with acromegaly confront multiple unique challenges secondary to the anatomic alterations caused by growth hormone-secreting tumors. The senior author has noted a fusiform dilatation of the cavernous carotid artery in many acromegalic patients. The authors aim to quantify this dilatation and correlate it with potential contributing factors.

METHODS

Clinical and radiographic data were retrospectively assessed in acromegalic patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery from 2000 through 2011. Randomly selected patients with nonsecreting pituitary adenomas were used as the control cohort. Demographic information, comorbidities, and preoperative growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were recorded. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging variables included tumor size, diameters of the petrous, cavernous, and supraclinoid segments of the carotid artery, and extent and location of cavernous sinus invasion. Independent correlations between acromegaly and each variable were assessed with multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Forty randomly selected patients with growth hormone-secreting adenomas who underwent surgery and had MR imaging with thin coronal slices of the pituitary region were enlisted in our study cohort. The mean age was 45.7 years. Forty-two males (52.5 %) were included in the study. Mean carotid artery diameter measurements for acromegalic and control patients, respectively, were 4.2 vs. 3.8 mm (petrous carotid), 5.0 vs. 4.0 mm (cavernous carotid), and 3.3 vs. 2.9 mm (supraclinoid carotid). Multivariate analysis showed only age and cavernous carotid diameter were statistically significant independent variables (p = 0.02, p < 0.001, respectively). Age, tumor size, growth-hormone or insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, and cavernous sinus invasion did not correlate with cavernous carotid artery diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acromegaly, there is a fusiform dilatation of the cavernous carotid artery that must be considered when planning transsphenoidal surgery.