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Zhu D, Wang Z, Tian T, Wu X, He D, Zhu Y, Liu D, Wang H. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of Crooke's cell adenomas in 101 patients with T-PIT-positive pituitary adenomas: Case series and literature review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:947085. [PMID: 36060980 PMCID: PMC9437488 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.947085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of a rare subtype of corticotroph adenoma, Crooke's cell adenoma, to better understand its clinical features. METHODS We collected T-PIT-positive pituitary adenomas and screened Crooke's cell adenomas from January 2020 to December 2021 in our center. Case reports of such tumors were also collected through a literature search. Clinical data such as biochemical tests, imaging examinations, and pathological data of the above cases were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 101 T-PIT-positive patients were treated in our center in the last 2 years, and 4 were finally pathologically diagnosed with Crooke's cell adenomas. All of these patients were male with elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, and 50.0% presented with hypercortisolemia, Cushing's syndrome, visual impairment, and headache. The tumor diameter was significantly larger in these 4 patients (37.0 mm) than in the other patients (26.0 mm), and their tumor invasive behavior was more pronounced. Cases reported in the literature were mainly female (72.8%), and the clinical presentation was also dominated by Cushing's syndrome (65.1%) and hormonal dysfunction. Tumors were more common as macroadenomas (33.2 mm) and suprasellar growths (63.8%). The tumor recurrence rate was as high as 55.6%, with 6 cases progressing to pituitary carcinomas and 7.7% of tumor-related deaths. Our further integrated analysis of our center and reported cases revealed that gender, Cushing's syndrome, visual dysfunction, hormonal disorders, and tumor growth characteristics were statistically different in different tumor categories. CONCLUSION Crooke's cell adenoma is a tumor subtype with obvious clinical aggressive behavior, and an in-depth analysis of its clinical characteristics may assist in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongming Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian Tian
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongsheng He
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yonghong Zhu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dawei Liu, ; Haijun Wang,
| | - Haijun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dawei Liu, ; Haijun Wang,
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Kalaria TR, Chopra R, Ayuk J, Buch H. Retinal vein occlusion as the presenting feature of Cushing's syndrome. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/1/e238204. [PMID: 33495181 PMCID: PMC7839910 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A 53-year-old man presented to his optician with blurring of vision in the right eye and was diagnosed to have branch retinal vein occlusion. Over the following 3 months, he had further progressive visual impairment due to right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and then left CRVO. Soon thereafter, during a hospital admission for infected submandibular gland, he was noted to have secondary hypothyroidism and persistent hypokalaemia which led to the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. This case was unusual as the patient did not manifest any classical features of Cushing's syndrome at the time of presentation with bilateral CRVO, and only 3 months later had dramatic weight loss, muscle weakness and acute psychosis. He received intravenous etomidate and underwent emergency transsphenoidal hypophysectomy with dramatic clinical and biochemical improvement and complete visual recovery in the left eye but unfortunately vision in the right eye remained limited to hand movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejas R Kalaria
- Blood Sciences, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Roopa Chopra
- Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - John Ayuk
- Endocrinology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Harit Buch
- Endocrinology and Diabetes, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK
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Akirov A, Larouche V, Shimon I, Asa SL, Mete O, Sawka AM, Gentili F, Ezzat S. Significance of Crooke's Hyaline Change in Nontumorous Corticotrophs of Patients With Cushing Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:620005. [PMID: 33815279 PMCID: PMC8013723 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.620005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoid excess in Cushing disease (CD) leads to negative feedback suppression, resulting in Crooke's hyaline change (CC) of nontumorous pituitary corticotrophs. We aimed to determine the predictive value of CC of nontumorous corticotrophs in CD. METHODS The retrospective chart review study included patients with clinical, biochemical, radiologic and outcome data and evaluable histopathology specimens from pituitary surgery for CD. The main outcome was remission of CD, defined by clinical features, biochemical testing, and corticosteroid dependency. RESULTS Of 144 CD patients, 60 (50 women, mean age 43.6±14) had clinical follow-up, biochemical data and histopathology specimens that included evaluable nontumorous adenohypophysis. Specimens from 50 patients (83.3%) demonstrated CC in nontumorous corticotrophs, and 10 (16.7%) had no CC (including 3 with corticotroph hyperplasia). One patient with CC was lost to follow-up and one without CC had equivocal outcome results. During a mean (SD) follow-up period of 74.9 months (61.0), recurrent or persistent disease was documented in 18 patients (31.0%), while 40 (69.0%) were in remission. In patients with CC, the remission rate was 73.5% (95% CI, 59.7%-83.7%) (36/49), whereas it was 44.4% (95% CI, 18.9%-73.3%) (4/9) in patients with no CC. The combination of serum cortisol >138 nmol/L within a week of surgery coupled with absence of nontumorous CC greatly improved the prediction of recurrent or persistent disease. CONCLUSIONS CC of nontumorous corticotrophs was observed in 83% of patients with CD, and most patients with CC experienced remission. Absence of CC in nontumorous corticotrophs may serve as a predictor of reduced remission in patients with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Akirov
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Endocrinology, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Amit Akirov,
| | - Vincent Larouche
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ilan Shimon
- Institute of Endocrinology, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sylvia L. Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals, Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna M. Sawka
- Division of Endocrinology, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fred Gentili
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network and Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shereen Ezzat
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Snyder MH, Shabo L, Lopes MB, Xu Z, Schlesinger D, Sheehan JP. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Patients with Crooke Cell Adenoma. World Neurosurg 2020; 138:e898-e904. [PMID: 32251826 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.03.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crooke cell adenoma is a very rare subtype of pituitary neoplasm that is known to be clinically aggressive. These tumors can secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone or may be endocrinologically silent. We evaluated the effect of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) on endocrine remission and tumor control. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised 5 patients (2 men, 3 women; median age at GKRS, 55 years [range, 21-65 years]) with pathology-confirmed Crooke cell adenoma treated with GKRS at the Gamma Knife Center of the University of Virginia. The median time interval between transsphenoidal resection and GKRS was 5.8 months. The median margin dose was 25 Gy (range, 18-25 Gy). Median treated adenoma volume was 3.12 mL. Median follow-up was 107 months (range, 44-122 months). RESULTS Tumor control was achieved in all patients. Three patients achieved endocrine remission at the last follow-up. The median time interval to cortisol normalization when off of anti-hormone secreting medication was 12 months (range, 6-24 months). Newly developed or worsening endocrinopathy occurred in 3 patients at 6, 15, and 18 months, respectively. Cranial nerve III neuropathy developed in 1 patient. Two patients required bilateral adrenalectomy at 44 months and 50 months, respectively, following GKRS. CONCLUSIONS GKRS appears to be a safe and reasonably effective treatment option for Crooke cell adenoma. Multicenter studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to verify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Harrison Snyder
- Gamma Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Leah Shabo
- Gamma Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Maria-Beatriz Lopes
- Division of Neuropathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Gamma Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
| | - David Schlesinger
- Gamma Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jason P Sheehan
- Gamma Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Cordeiro D, Xu Z, Nasser M, Lopes B, Vance ML, Sheehan J. The role of Crooke's changes in recurrence and remission after gamma knife radiosurgery. J Neurooncol 2019; 142:171-181. [PMID: 30607704 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of Crooke's changes (CC) in normal the peri-tumoral anterior pituitary gland, in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) with a histopathological confirmed corticotroph adenoma, and determine if there is any difference in the recurrence and remission rates in CD patients after treatment with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS). METHODS All patients treated with GKRS for CD from 2005 to 2016 at our institution were identified. Patients had a confirmed adrenocorticotropic (ACTH)-secreting adenoma, i.e. corticotroph adenoma, and normal pituitary gland included in the surgical specimen, and specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and also immunostaining for cytokeratin and ACTH. Statistical analyses were performed in a total of 61 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Additionally, we analyzed 20 patients in each group, with and without CC, after they were matched in a propensity score fashion. RESULTS Endocrine remission defined as, a normal 24 h urine free cortisol while off suppressive medication, occurred in 48 patients (78.7%), with 76.9% in those with CC and 81.8% in those without CC. There was no statistical significant difference between the two groups in regarding remission (p = 0.312) or recurrence (p = 0.659) in either the unmatched or matched cohorts. CONCLUSION The presence or absence of CC in normal pituitary gland does not appear to confer a lower rate of remission or a higher rate of recurrence after GKRS. Patients with pituitary corticotroph adenomas that present with CC features may be well served by Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Cordeiro
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Room G512 1221 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, P. O. Box 800212, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Zhiyuan Xu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Room G512 1221 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Mohammed Nasser
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Room G512 1221 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Beatriz Lopes
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Neuropathology, 800214, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0214, USA
| | - Mary Lee Vance
- Department of Medicine and Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Pituitary Clinic, 2nd Floor, Suite 2100, 415 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Jason Sheehan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Room G512 1221 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
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Serban AL, Sala E, Carosi G, Del Sindaco G, Giavoli C, Locatelli M, Arosio M, Mantovani G, Ferrante E. Recovery of Adrenal Function after Pituitary Surgery in Patients with Cushing Disease: Persistent Remission or Recurrence? Neuroendocrinology 2019; 108:211-218. [PMID: 30636245 DOI: 10.1159/000496846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cushing disease (CD) represents the principal cause of endogenous hypercortisolism. The first-line therapy of CD is surgical removal of the ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, which is generally followed by adrenal insufficiency (AI). OBJECTIVE To analyze the recovery of AI in patients with CD after pituitary surgery in relation with recurrence and persistent remission of CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with CD who met the following inclusion criteria: adult age, presence of AI 2 months after the surgical intervention, and a minimum follow-up of 3 years after the surgical intervention. RESULTS Sixty-one patients were followed for a median of 6 years. Ten (16.4%) patients recurred during follow-up. The patients who restored adrenal function did so after a median time of 19 months, with a significantly shorter time in the recurrence group (12.5 vs. 25 months, p = 0.008). All 10 patients who recurred recovered their adrenal function within 22 months. The recovery rate of AI in the persistent remission group was 37.3% (19/51) at 3 years and 55.8% (24/43) at 5 years. In all patients the duration of AI was negatively associated with disease recurrence. CONCLUSION The duration of postsurgical AI in patients with recurrent CD is significantly shorter than that in patients with persistently remitted CD, and this parameter may be a useful predictor of recurrence. Patients showing a normal pituitary-adrenal axis within 2 years after surgery should be strictly monitored as they are at higher risk of disease relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Liliana Serban
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy,
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,
| | - Elisa Sala
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Carosi
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Del Sindaco
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Giavoli
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Locatelli
- Neurosurgery Division, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Arosio
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Mantovani
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Ferrante
- Endocrinology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy
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Prete A, Paragliola RM, Bottiglieri F, Rota CA, Pontecorvi A, Salvatori R, Corsello SM. Factors predicting the duration of adrenal insufficiency in patients successfully treated for Cushing disease and nonmalignant primary adrenal Cushing syndrome. Endocrine 2017; 55:969-980. [PMID: 27395418 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-1007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Successful treatment of Cushing syndrome causes transient or permanent adrenal insufficiency deriving from endogenous hypercortisolism-induced hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis suppression. We analyzed pre-treatment factors potentially affecting the duration of adrenal insufficiency. We conducted a retrospective analysis on patients successfully treated for Cushing disease (15 patients) who underwent transsphenoidal surgery, and nonmalignant primary adrenal Cushing syndrome (31 patients) who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, divided into patients with overt primary adrenal Cushing syndrome (14 patients) and subclinical primary adrenal Cushing syndrome (17 patients). Epidemiological data, medical history, and hormonal parameters depending on the etiology of hypercortisolism were collected and compared to the duration of adrenal insufficiency. The median duration of follow-up after surgery for Cushing disease and primary adrenal Cushing syndrome was 70 and 48 months, respectively. In the Cushing disease group, the median duration of adrenal insufficiency after transsphenoidal surgery was 15 months: younger age at diagnosis and longer duration of signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism before diagnosis and surgery were associated with longer duration of adrenal insufficiency. The median duration of adrenal insufficiency was 6 months for subclinical primary adrenal Cushing syndrome and 18.5 months for overt primary adrenal Cushing syndrome. The biochemical severity of hypercortisolism, the grade of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis suppression, and treatment with ketoconazole before surgery accounted for longer duration of adrenal insufficiency. In patients with Cushing disease, younger age and delayed diagnosis and treatment predict longer need for glucocorticoid replacement therapy after successful transsphenoidal surgery. In patients with primary adrenal Cushing syndrome, the severity of hypercortisolism plays a primary role in influencing the duration of adrenal insufficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Prete
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Paragliola
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Filomena Bottiglieri
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Carlo Antonio Rota
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, and Pituitary Center Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 773 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Salvatore Maria Corsello
- Unit of Endocrinology, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy.
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Kim HK, Yoon JH, Jeong YA, Kang HC. The Recovery of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Is Rapid in Subclinical Cushing Syndrome. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2016; 31:592-597. [PMID: 28029028 PMCID: PMC5195837 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2016.31.4.592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In subclinical Cushing syndrome (SC), it is assumed that glucocorticoid production is insufficient to cause a clinically recognizable syndrome. Differences in hormonal levels or recovery time of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis after adrenalectomy between patients with overt Cushing syndrome (OC) and SC remain unknown. METHODS Thirty-six patients (10 with OC and 26 with SC) with adrenal Cushing syndrome who underwent adrenalectomy from 2004 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were treated with glucocorticoid after adrenalectomy and were reevaluated every 1 to 6 months using a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. RESULTS Levels of basal 24-hour urine free cortisol (UFC), serum cortisol after an overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and serum cortisol and 24-hour UFC after low-dose DST and high-dose DST were all significantly lower in patients with SC compared with OC. Basal ACTH levels showed significantly higher in patients with SC compared with OC. The probability of recovering adrenal function during follow-up differed significantly between patients with OC and SC (P=0.001), with significant correlations with the degree of preoperative cortisol excess. Patients with OC required a longer duration of glucocorticoid replacement to recover a normal ACTH stimulation test compared with patients with SC (median 17.0 months vs. 4.0 months, P<0.001). CONCLUSION The HPA axis recovery time after adrenalectomy in patients with SC is rapid and is dependent on the degree of cortisol excess. More precise definition of SC is necessary to achieve a better management of patients and to avoid the risk of under- or over-treatment of SC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jee Hee Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Yun Ah Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ho Cheol Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
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Mifepristone Accelerates HPA Axis Recovery in Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. Case Rep Endocrinol 2016; 2016:4709597. [PMID: 27516913 PMCID: PMC4969503 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4709597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Context. Transient secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) is an expected complication following successful adenomectomy of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas or unilateral adrenalectomy for cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas. To date, no pharmacological therapy has been shown to hasten recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in this clinical scenario. Case Description. A 33-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated unilateral adrenalectomy for a 3.7 cm cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma. Postoperatively, she developed SAI and was placed on hydrocortisone 15 mg/day, given in divided doses. In the ensuing six years, the patient's HPA axis failed to recover and she remained corticosteroid-dependent. Quarterly biochemical testing (after withholding hydrocortisone for 18 hours) consistently yielded undetectable serum cortisol and subnormal plasma ACTH levels. While she was on hydrocortisone 15 mg/day, mifepristone was initiated and gradually titrated to a maintenance dose of 600 mg/day after 5 months. Rapid recovery of the HPA axis was subsequently noted with ACTH rising into the supranormal range at 4 months followed by a subsequent rise in cortisol levels into the normal range. After 6 months, the dose of hydrocortisone and mifepristone was lowered and both were ultimately stopped after 8 months. The HPA axis remains normal after an additional 16 months of follow-up. Conclusion. Mifepristone successfully restored the HPA axis in a woman with prolonged secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) after adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome (CS).
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Oldfield EH, Vance ML, Louis RG, Pledger CL, Jane JA, Lopes MBS. Crooke's Changes In Cushing's Syndrome Depends on Degree of Hypercortisolism and Individual Susceptibility. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:3165-71. [PMID: 26147609 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-2493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although Crooke's changes in the pituitary corticotrophs were initially described in 1935, the prevalence in which the changes occur in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) has not been established. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence and assess clinical features associated with the presence or absence of Crooke's changes in a large set of patients with CS. DESIGN Information from a prospective computer database and retrospective chart review was analyzed. SETTING The setting was an academic medical center. PATIENTS Consecutive patients (N = 213) who received surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of Cushing's disease are included. INTERVENTION The patients received pituitary surgery and specimens obtained underwent pathological analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The presence or absence of Crooke's changes was determined by histopathological analysis of the normal pituitary tissue included with the specimen obtained at surgery. Cortisol production was measured by 24-hour urine cortisol production. RESULTS Crooke's changes occurred in 144 of 177 patients (81%) with a histologically demonstrated ACTH-staining tumor and in 74% of 213 patients diagnosed with CS who had pituitary surgery. The presence of Crooke's changes correlated with the finding of an ACTH-staining tumor removed at surgery and with the degree of hypercortisolism. Among patients with histologically established ACTH-staining tumors the prevalence of Crooke's changes was particularly high in patients with a 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC) of at least 4-fold the upper limit of normal, in which 91% of patients had Crooke's changes, compared with 74% of patients whose maximum UFC was less than 4-fold the upper limit of normal (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS Crooke's changes occur in 75-80% of patients with CS, and depend on the degree of hypercortisolism and individual variability. Almost all patients with UFC at least 4-fold the upper limit of normal have them, whereas with less severe hypercortisolism the expression of Crooke's changes varies from person to person.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward H Oldfield
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Mary Lee Vance
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Robert G Louis
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Carrie L Pledger
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - John A Jane
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Maria-Beatriz S Lopes
- Department of Neurological Surgery (E.H.O., R.G.L., C.L.P., J.A.J), Department of Medicine (M.L.V.), and Department of Pathology (M.-B.S.L.), University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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Eschbacher JM, Coons SW. Cytokeratin CK20 is a sensitive marker for Crooke's cells and the early cytoskeletal changes associated with hypercortisolism within pituitary corticotrophs. Endocr Pathol 2006; 17:365-76. [PMID: 17525485 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-006-0008-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Crooke's cells are nonneoplastic corticotroph cells found in the adenohypophysis of patients who have an endogenous or exogenous excess of glucocorticoids. Classic Crooke's cells have a prominent hyaline cytoplasmic ring that displaces the basophilic granules of the normal cell. This characteristic appearance is produced by a perinuclear accumulation of cytokeratin filaments. Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratins is a sensitive way to identify Crooke's cells, but a keratin antibody specific for Crooke's hyaline change has not been reported. Normal pituitary epithelial cells are variably reactive for many keratin antibodies but are negative for cytokeratin 20 (CK20) expression. We evaluated the use of CK20 immunohistochemistry as a marker for Crooke's cells. We examined sections from 25 pituitary glands resected from 15 patients who had undergone exogenous glucocorticoid administration and from 10 patients with an endogenous source of hypercortisolism; sections from 10 normal pituitary glands obtained at autopsy were used as controls. CK20 immunoreactivity was observed only in corticotrophs. A staining pattern consistent with classic Crooke's cells was seen in pituitary gland sections from 15 of the cases. Cells with less intense CK20 positivity were present in sections from all 25 cases. We found CK20 to be a sensitive and specific marker for Crooke's cells and also for the previously unrecognized, subtle, cytoskeletal changes that occur in corticotrophs in response to hypercortisolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Eschbacher
- Department of Pathology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
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Abstract
The management of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's disease implies difficulties in the differential diagnosis, in the detection of minute pituitary adenomas, as well as in the radical removal of invasive adenomas. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unspecific and often negative in minute adenomas of three or less millimeters diameter. The trias of detectable ACTH, suppression of cortisol in the high-dose dexamethasone test, and stimulation in the corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH)-test has a high accuracy to prove pituitary dependency. In unclear cases, the use of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) or cavernous sinus sampling (CSS) for the exclusion of ectopic ACTH-syndrome is currently advised especially in cases where cranial MRI is negative. The reliability of these methods to localize the mostly lateralized microadenomas is still discussed. Transsphenoidal microsurgical adenomectomy, the accepted primary therapy of Cushing's disease, has been published from experienced pituitary centers with remission rates ranging from 70% to 98% in the last decade. False diagnosis (pseudo-Cushing, ectopic ACTH-syndrome), incorrect adenoma localization by IPSS or CSS, and the rate of minute or non-resectable invasive tumors influence the results. The handling of minute specimen implies problems for surgeon and pathologist. Intraoperative tumor localization was improved by ACTH measurement from the cavernous sinus and the adenoma itself, by cytology, and frozen sections. The histology of the anterior lobe (rate of Crooke's cells) bears information of clinical relevance. Invasive macroadenomas may deserve repeat microsurgery, medical treatment, and radiosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Lüdecke
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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13
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Abstract
During the past 30 years, there have been advances in understanding of the pathogenesis of Cushing's syndrome and in differential diagnosis of its various forms. Improved diagnostic tests and procedures have increased the ability to recognise even mild hypercortisolism and have provided the means to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Despite these advances, the occurrence of unusual clinical presentations and laboratory shortcomings may produce diagnostic problems and challenge clinical intuition. This article reviews recent pathogenic views, new tests, and new diagnostic problems in the evaluation of Cushing's syndrome. Atypical clinical presentations of hypercortisolism and some laboratory shortcomings that may confuse the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Boscaro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy.
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