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Ragate DC, Memon SS, Sarathi V, Lila AR, Channaiah CY, Patil VA, Karlekar M, Barnabas R, Thakkar H, Shah NS, Bandgar TR. Pituitary apoplexy in cushing's disease: a single center study and systematic literature review. Pituitary 2024:10.1007/s11102-024-01411-1. [PMID: 38850401 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pituitary apoplexy (PA) in Cushing's disease (CD) is rare with data limited to case reports/series. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed case records of PA in CD managed at our center from 1987 to 2023 and performed a systematic literature review. RESULTS We identified 58 patients (44 females), including twelve from our center (12/315 CD, yielding a PA prevalence in CD of 3.8%) and forty six from systematic review. The median age at PA diagnosis was 35 years. The most common presentation was type A (79.3%) and symptom was headache (89.6%), with a median Pituitary Apoplexy Score (PAS) of 2. Median cortisol and ACTH levels were 24.9 µg/dl and 94.1 pg/ml, respectively. Apoplexy was the first manifestation of underlying CD in 55.2% of cases, with 31.1% (14/45) presenting with hypocortisolemia (serum cortisol ≤ 5.0 µg/dl), underscoring the importance of recognizing clinical signs/symptoms of hypercortisolism. The median largest tumor dimension was 1.7 cm (53/58 were macroadenomas). PA was managed surgically in 57.8% of cases, with the remainder conservatively managed. All five PA cases in CD with microadenoma achieved remission through conservative management, though two later relapsed. Among treatment-naïve CD patients with macroadenoma, PA-related neuro-deficit improvement was comparable between surgical and conservative groups. However, a greater proportion of surgically managed patients remained in remission longer (70% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.07), for an average of 31 vs. 10.5 months. CONCLUSION PA in CD is more commonly associated with macroadenomas, may present with hypocortisolemia, and surgical treatment tends towards higher and longer-lasting remission rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya C Ragate
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Saba Samad Memon
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vijaya Sarathi
- Department of Endocrinology, Vydehi institute of medical sciences and research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Anurag Ranjan Lila
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Chethan Yami Channaiah
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Virendra A Patil
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manjiri Karlekar
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rohit Barnabas
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Hemangini Thakkar
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Seth G.S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Nalini S Shah
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tushar R Bandgar
- Department of Endocrinology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, 4000012, Maharashtra, India
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Messer CK, Fowkes ME, Gabrilove JL, Post KD, Son H, Levine AC. ACTH-producing remnants following apoplexy of an ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma. Pituitary 2012; 15 Suppl 1:S6-9. [PMID: 20703943 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-010-0247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Describe a case of apoplexy of an ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma which resulted not only in an empty sella with concurrent hypothyroidism, hypoprolactinemia, and hypogonadism but persistent hypercortisolemia from two distinct extrasellar remnants of the original adenoma. Review the literature to identify other similar cases. The patient's medical history, physical exam, lab data, imaging exams and histopathological results were analyzed and compiled into a case report, and an extensive review of the literature was performed. Endocrinological data revealed hypercortisolism and an elevated ACTH with an otherwise suppressed pituitary axis. A pituitary MRI showed a macroadenoma in the left cavernous sinus in addition to an empty sella. An octreotide scan revealed lesions in the left sella turcica and the right sphenoid sinus. Tissue samples of both lesions stained positive for ACTH and negative for GH, prolactin, FSH, LH, and TSH. The lesions were surgically removed, and the patient treated with radiation and ketoconazole. This resulted in a significant decrease in ACTH and cortisol as well as a marked improvement in blood glucose control. The review of literature revealed the absence of any similar cases in the past. The patient presented with apoplexy of an ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma with two hormonally active extrasellar remnants. Several cases in the literature describe recurrence of Cushing's disease following infarction of ACTH-secreting adenomas. This is the first documented case of infarction of an ACTH-producing adenoma resulting in two distinct ACTH-producing remnants without recurrence of the original adenoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Korsten Messer
- Department of Endocrinology, Mount Kisco Medical Group, 90 South Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, USA.
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Choudhry OJ, Choudhry AJ, Nunez EA, Eloy JA, Couldwell WT, Ciric IS, Liu JK. Pituitary tumor apoplexy in patients with Cushing's disease: endocrinologic and visual outcomes after transsphenoidal surgery. Pituitary 2012; 15:428-35. [PMID: 21927887 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-011-0342-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary apoplexy in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) producing tumors is a rare occurrence. We report four patients with Cushing's disease harboring ACTH-secreting macroadenomas who presented with pituitary apoplexy. We report the endocrinologic and visual outcomes of these patients after emergent transsphenoidal surgery. A retrospective chart review was performed in 4 patients who presented with pituitary apoplexy from hemorrhage into an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma. The patient charts were reviewed for clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, intraoperative surgical findings, pathologic findings, and postoperative endocrinologic and visual outcomes. All patients presented with acute headaches, nausea, vomiting, and visual loss from optic compression. MR imaging demonstrated a hemorrhagic macroadenoma that was confirmed at surgery. All patients underwent emergent transsphenoidal decompression (within 24 h of presentation). One of these underwent an additional craniotomy to resect residual tumor. Postoperatively, all patients showed significant improvement in visual acuity and visual fields with biochemical remission confirmed on laboratory testing. Significant weight loss as well as resolution of diabetes and hypertension was noted in all cases. All four patients remained in biochemical remission at their most recent follow-up visit (mean 40 months, range: 24-72 months). Excellent endocrine and visual outcomes can be achieved after emergent transsphenoidal surgery in patients with Cushing's disease presenting with pituitary apoplexy. Although the cure rates of non-apoplectic ACTH macroadenomas are generally poor, higher rates of remission can be achieved in cases of pituitary apoplexy. This may be partly due to the effects of tumor infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamah J Choudhry
- Department of Neurological Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 90 Bergen St, Suite 8100, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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Chan D, Rong TC, Dalan R. Cushing's disease presenting with pituitary apoplexy. J Clin Neurosci 2012; 19:1586-9. [PMID: 22658488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2011.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary tumour apoplexy is a rare but life threatening condition. Cushing's disease usually presents with clinical features of Cushing's syndrome. We report a 30-year-old male patient with Cushing's disease who presented with severe headache and right third nerve palsy. MRI of the pituitary gland revealed a pituitary adenoma with infarction suggestive of apoplexy. After a transsphenoidal surgery he developed pan-hypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus. We also review the relevant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Chan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Alarifi A, Alzahrani AS, Salam SA, Ahmed M, Kanaan I. Repeated remissions of Cushing's disease due to recurrent infarctions of an ACTH-producing pituitary macroadenoma. Pituitary 2005; 8:81-7. [PMID: 16195779 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-005-2961-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Infarction of prolactin-secreting or growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas is not unusual. However, Infarction of ACTH-secreting adenomas has rarely been reported. Cyclical course of Cushing's syndrome alternating with adrenal insufficiency due to recurrent infarction of an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma has not been reported. We report here a 20-year-old lady who presented with florid signs of Cushing's syndrome but was found to have adrenal insufficiency on biochemical evaluation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland showed that she had infarction of an ACTH-secreting macroadenoma. Over the next 6 years, her disease ran a cyclical course characterized by periods of hypercortisolism alternating with adrenal insufficiency due to repeated episodes of infarctions of the ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma with corresponding changes in the pituitary adenoma on serial MRIs. The case alerts clinicians to this possibility when a patient presents with clinical picture of Cushing's syndrome but has adrenal insufficiency on biochemical testing. It also suggests that silent or subclinical infarction of pituitary adenomas is not uncommon and is probably under diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alarifi
- Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
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