Growth Pattern and Prognostic Factors of Untreated Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic endonasal approach for resection of sellar leiomyosarcoma metastasis: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare neoplasm that arises from tissues of embryonic mesodermal origin. Primary tissues of origin can include smooth muscle cells of the abdominopelvic viscera, blood vessels, or arrector pili muscles. LMS is known to metastasize to the lungs, with few reported cases of spread to the central nervous system.

OBSERVATIONS

A 66-year-old male with cutaneous LMS of the left forearm with metastases to the lungs and kidney that had been treated with chemoradiation presented with worsening headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sellar lesion. An endocrine workup was unremarkable. Imaging over 6 months revealed rapid interval growth. Positron emission tomography demonstrated moderate uptake. Given the rapid growth, the patient was offered an endoscopic endonasal approach for resection. Pathology confirmed LMS.

LESSONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of LMS metastasis to the sella. Pituitary carcinoma or metastases to the sellar region should be in the differential among patients with sellar region tumors with a rapid growth rate, bony erosion, or findings of lesions in the upper cervical lymph nodes or soft tissue. Tumors that show significant interval growth should raise suspicion for nonadenomatous lesions, and surgical intervention should be considered even in the absence of endocrinological dysfunction or cranial neuropathies. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE2435.

Multi-institutional Analysis of Endoscopic Sellar Surgical Volumes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

We sought to quantify trends in operative volumes and complications of endoscopic sellar surgery before and after the COVID-19 pandemic onset.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective analysis.

SETTING

TriNetX database analysis.

METHODS

All adults undergoing neuroendoscopy for resection of pituitary tumor (Current Procedural Terminology code 62165) with diagnosis of benign/malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland (D35.2/C75.1) or benign/malignant neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct (D35.3/C75.2) were included using the TriNetX database for 2 years before (pre-COVID group) and 2 years after (post-COVID group) February 17, 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 1238 patients in the pre-COVID group and 1186 patients in the post-COVID group were compared. Age, gender, and race were statistically similar between the groups (P > .05). Surgical volume decreased by 6% in the post-COVID group. In 2020 Q2, operative volume decreased by 19%, and in 2021 Q4 (peak COVID-19 caseload in the United States), operative volumes decreased by 29% compared to 2 years prior. Postoperative complications including meningitis (P = .49), cerebrospinal fluid leak (P = .36), visual field deficits (P = .07), postoperative pneumonia or respiratory failure (P = .42), and 30-day readmission rates (P = .89) were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Overall, endoscopic sellar surgery may continue to fluctuate with increased COVID-19 outbreaks. Patient outcomes do not appear to be worsened by decreased operative volumes or delays in nonurgent surgeries.

Measuring pituitary tumor volume: a comparison of the simplified and non-simplified ellipsoid equation with the 3D planimetric volume assessment

PURPOSE

The ellipsoid equation came in an attempt to facilitate the estimation of tumor volume, by measuring the height, width, and anteroposterior length of the lesion. The estimated tumor volume can sometimes be different between methods, thus, it is of extreme interest to evaluate if the methods are significantly different, as well as to discuss the main limitations of each one.

METHODS

This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. A systematic review of the literature was also performed in order to discuss the results observed in the present study.

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients (43 males and 39 females) ranging in age from 15 to 78 years (mean 47.95 ± 14.76) were included in the study. Seven patients were classified as Knosp grade 0 (8.5%), 36 Knosp grade 1 (44%), 14 Knosp grade 2 (17%), 20 Knosp grade 3 (24.4%), 5 Knosp grade 4 (6.1%). The tumor volume estimated by 3D planimetric assessment, non-simplified ellipsoid equation, and simplified ellipsoid formula averaged 10.68 cm³, 10.36 cm³, and 9.9 cm³ respectively.

CONCLUSION

A simplified form of the ellipsoid equation increases the divergence between the measurement obtained in planimetry, and should be discouraged, in view of the new automated methods of performing quick calculations using periodic digits. The non-simplified form underestimated the tumor volume by 2.9% on average but did so regularly. In clinical practice, measurement should be accompanied by an evaluation of tumor morphology.

The natural history of non-functioning pituitary adenomas: A meta-analysis of conservatively managed tumors

BACKGROUND

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are often discovered incidentally. The natural history of NFPA is not well understood, obfuscating evidence-based management decisions. Meta-data of radiographically followed NFPA may help guide conservative versus operative treatment of these tumors.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Ovid for studies with NFPA managed nonoperatively with radiographic follow-up. Studies on postoperative outcomes after NFPA resection and studies that did not delineate NFPA data from functional pituitary lesions were excluded. NFPA were divided into micro- and macroadenomas based on size at presentation. We performed a meta-analysis of aggregate data for length of follow-up, change in tumor size, rate of apoplexy, and need for resection during follow-up.

RESULTS

Our database search yielded 1787 articles, of which 19 were included for final analysis. The studies included 1057 patients with NFPA followed radiographically. Macroadenomas were significantly more likely to undergo growth (34% vs. 12%; p < 0.01) or apoplexy (5% vs. < 1%; p = 0.01) compared to microadenomas. Resection was performed in 11% of all NFPA patients during follow-up regardless of size at presentation. Meta-regression showed that surgery during follow-up was associated with macroadenomas and negatively associated with microadenomas that decreased in size.

CONCLUSION

Low-quality evidence suggests that NFPA classified as macroadenomas have an increased rate of growth and apoplexy during follow-up compared to microadenomas. A significant minority of all NFPA patients ultimately underwent surgery. In select patients, nonoperative management may be the appropriate strategy for NFPA. Macroadenomas may require closer follow-up.

The outcomes of conservatively observed asymptomatic nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with optic nerve compression

OBJECTIVE

The authors investigated the natural history of asymptomatic nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) with optic nerve compression.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the natural history of asymptomatic NFPAs with documented optic nerve compression on MRI diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 from 2 institutions. The patients were followed up with regular endocrinological, ophthalmological, and radiological evaluations, and the endpoint was new endocrinopathy or neurological deficits.

RESULTS

The study comprised 81 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 58.0 years and the follow-up duration was 60.0 months. As the denominator of overall pituitary patients, 2604 patients were treated with surgery after diagnosis at the 2 institutions during the same period. The mean initial and last measured values for tumor diameter were 23.7 ± 8.9 mm and 26.2 ± 11.4 mm, respectively (mean ± SD). Tumor growth was observed in 51 (63.0%) patients; however, visual deterioration was observed in 14 (17.3%) patients. Ten (12.3%) patients experienced endocrine deterioration. Fourteen (17.3%) patients underwent surgery for either visual deterioration (in 12 patients) or endocrine dysfunction (in 2 patients). After surgery, all patients experienced improvements in visual or hormonal function. The actuarial rates of treatment-free survival at 2, 3, and 5 years were 96.1%, 93.2%, and 85.6%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, initial cavernous sinus invasion (HR 4.985, 95% CI 1.597-15.56; p = 0.006) was the only independent risk factor for eventual treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The neuroendocrinological deteriorations were not frequent and could be recovered by surgery with early detection on regular follow-up in asymptomatic NFPAs with documented optic nerve compression on MRI. Therefore, conservative management could be an acceptable strategy for these tumors. Careful follow-up is required for tumors with cavernous sinus invasion.

Early postoperative MRI and detection of residual adenoma after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

OBJECTIVE

Current practice guidelines recommend delayed (≥ 3 months after operation) postoperative MRI after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, although this practice defers obtaining important information, such as the presence of a residual adenoma, that might influence patient management during the perioperative period. In this study, the authors compared detection of residual adenomas by means of early postoperative (EPO) MRI (< 48 hours postsurgery) with both surgeon intraoperative assessment and late postoperative (LPO) MRI at 3 months.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent microscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas with MRI preoperatively, < 48 hours after the operation, 3 months postoperatively, and yearly for 4 years were included. The presence or absence of residual tumor was assessed intraoperatively by a single surgeon and postoperatively by 2 neuroradiologists blinded to the intraoperative assessment and other postoperative imaging studies. The presence of residual tumor was confirmed by reresection, tumor growth on imaging, or hormonal evidence. Interreader reliability was calculated at each imaging time point. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for EPO and LPO imaging and intraoperative assessment were determined.

RESULTS

In total, 102 consecutive patients who underwent microscopic transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma were included. Eighteen patients (18%) had confirmed residual tumors (12 confirmed by tumor growth, 5 by surgery, and 1 by biochemical evidence of persistent disease). Interreader reliability for detecting residual tumor on EPO MRI was almost perfect (κ = 0.88) and significantly higher than that for LPO MRI (κ = 0.69, p = 0.03). EPO MRI was highly specific for residual tumor (98%), a finding similar to that for intraoperative assessment (99%, p = 0.60) and significantly higher than that for LPO MRI (81%, p < 0.001). Notably, EPO MRI was significantly more sensitive for residual tumor (100%) than both intraoperative assessment (78%, p = 0.04) and LPO MRI (78%, p = 0.04). EPO MRI had a 100% negative predictive value and was used to find 4 residual tumors that were not identified intraoperatively. Residual tumors found on EPO MRI allowed for reresection during the same hospitalization for 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

EPO MRI after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can be reliably interpreted and has greater sensitivity for detecting residual tumor than intraoperative assessment and LPO MRI. This result challenges current guidelines stating that delayed postoperative imaging is preferable to early imaging. Pituitary surgeons should consider performing EPO MRI either in addition to or instead of delayed imaging.

Guidelines in the management of CNS tumors

INTRODUCTION

Evidence-based, clinical practice guidelines in the management of central nervous system tumors (CNS) continue to be developed and updated through the work of the Joint Section on Tumors of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).

METHODS

The guidelines are created using the most current and clinically relevant evidence using systematic methodologies, which classify available data and provide recommendations for clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

This update summarizes the Tumor Section Guidelines developed over the last five years for non-functioning pituitary adenomas, low grade gliomas, vestibular schwannomas, and metastatic brain tumors.

Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Compared with Observation Alone for Postoperative Residual Nonfunctional Pituitary Adenomas

OBJECTIVE

The management of residual nonfunctional pituitary tumors after surgical resection remains controversial. In this study, we compared the prognosis of postoperative radiation therapy and observation only in patients with residual nonfunctional pituitary adenoma and reviewed the long-term complications after radiation therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 90 patients who underwent surgery for nonfunctional pituitary adenomas from January 2008 to April 2012. Residual tumors were classified by size, location, and pathologic staining. Tumor progression was defined as volume progression ≥15% with or without clinical symptoms. Postoperative radiation therapy was performed <1 year after the last surgery. We compared the progression and 3-year and 5-year progression-free survival between the observation group and postoperative radiation therapy group. Postradiation complications including hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, deterioration in visual field or acuity, cranial nerve palsy, and hydrocephalus were also analyzed.

RESULTS

More of the patients who received postoperative radiation therapy had a tumor progression-free survival of ≥3 years than did those who did not receive postoperative radiation therapy. Postoperative radiation therapy was significantly beneficial for the patients with a tumor size ≥3 cm or with tumors in the cavernous sinus. The most frequent complication after radiation therapy was hypopituitarism and a few cases had third cranial nerve palsy; however, there were no significant relationships with radiation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, immediate radiation therapy after tumor resection was an effective and relatively safe treatment for residual or progressive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. Moreover, the long-term complications of radiation therapy were mild.