Yongfei Wang

Transsphenoidal pituitary macroadenomas resection guided by PoleStar N20 low-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging: comparison with early postoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of low-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) during transsphenoidal surgery of pituitary macroadenomas. METHODSFifty-five transsphenoidal surgeries were performed for macroadenomas (modified Hardys Grade II–IV) resections. All of the surgical processes were guided by real-time updated contrast T1-weighted coronal and sagittal images, which were acquired with 0.15 Tesla PoleStar N20 iMRI (Medtronic Navigation, Louisville, CO). The definitive benefits as well as major drawbacks of low-field iMRI in transsphenoidal surgery were assessed with respect to intraoperative imaging, tumor resection control, comparison with early postoperative high-field magnetic resonance imaging, and follow-up outcomes. RESULTSIntraoperative imaging revealed residual tumor and guided extended tumor resection in 17 of 55 cases. As a result, the percentage of gross total removal of macroadenomas increased from 58.2% to 83.6%. The accuracy of imaging evaluation of low-field iMRI was 81.8%, compared with early postoperative high-field MRI (Correlation coefficient, 0.677; P < 0.001). A significantly lower accuracy was identified with low-field iMRI in 6 cases with cavernous sinus invasion (33.3%) in contrast to the 87.8% found with other sites (Fishers exact test, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONThe PoleStar N20 low-field iMRI navigation system is a promising tool for safe, minimally invasive, endonasal, transsphenoidal pituitary macroadenomas resection. It enables neurosurgeons to control the extent of tumor resection, particularly for suprasellar tumors, ensuring surgical accuracy and safety, and leading to a decreased likelihood of repeat surgeries. However, this technology is still not satisfying in estimating the amount of the parasellar residual tumor invading into cavernous sinus, given the false or uncertain images generated by low-field iMRI in this region, which are difficult to discriminate between tumor remnant and blood within the venous sinus.

Diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery for the pituitary abscess: A review of twenty nine cases

OBJECTIVEnThis study aimed to better determine the salient signs and symptoms for diagnosis of a pituitary abscess as well as the determination of the most appropriate treatment.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective analysis was performed using clinical presentations, imaging features, diagnosis and treatment of 29 patients with pituitary abscess in our hospital.nnnRESULTSnWe made the correct diagnosis of pituitary abscess before surgery only in 2 cases (13.3%) out of 15 patients between January 2004 and January 2008. While 12 cases (85.7%) out of 14 patients were correctly diagnosed before surgery between January 2008 and June 2010. All of the patients underwent transnasal-transsphenoidal surgery assisted by the microscope or endoscope. The antibiotic therapy and hormonal replacement were routinely administrated. The postoperative courses were uneventful and all symptoms of the patients were gradually improved one week to six months after surgery. None of the 29 cases were recurrent during the follow-up.nnnCONCLUSIONnWith the increased clinical experience, the correct diagnosis rate of pituitary abscess before surgery has been greatly improved in recent three years. The microsurgical drainage, proper antibiotics and hormonal replacement are the keys to the treatment of pituitary abscess.

Immuno-laser capture microdissection of frozen prolactioma sections to prepare proteomic samples

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) technology combined with immunohistochemistry (immuno-LCM) is a valuable tool to obtain specific target cell populations and therefore this technique enables more accurate proteomic profile. In this study, we optimized the regular immuno-LCM technique to isolate and stain pure prolactin cells from either normal human pituitary (n=6) or prolactioma (n=11). Compared with the routine procedure, more intense and specific staining could be obtained when sections were pretreated with 0.2% Triton X-100 for 4 min. Interestingly, longer pretreatment (0.2% Triton X-100 for 10 min) or higher concentration (2% Triton X-100 for 4 and 10 min) greatly impaired labeling intensity and cell shape. Further scanning electron microscope study revealed that the component extracted from the cell surface by Triton X-100 was lipid. Using the optimized immuno-LCM technique, more pure prolactin cells could be isolated and prepared for further proteomic analysis. Taken together, we reported an optimized immuno-LCM technique that could effectively dissect pure target cells in different type pituitary adenomas for further proteomics analysis.

Analysis of prognostic factors and treatment of anaplastic meningioma in China

Meningioma is the most frequently reported primary brain and central nervous system tumor. However, malignant meningioma is rare with the anaplastic subtype the most common. This subtype of meningioma is fatal with a high recurrence rate and poor survival. A retrospective review of anaplastic meningioma patients treated in one of the largest neurosurgical centers in China between 2003 and 2008 was conducted. From 70 identified patients, seven were lost to follow-up, but the remaining 63 patients were studied for prognostic factors. The mean follow-up time was 84.9±standard deviation (SD) of 19.7months. Tumor recurred in 35 out of 63 (55.6%) patients. Thirty-three (52.4%) patients had died by the most recent follow-up, and the median overall survival (OS) was 70.0±9.7months. The 3year and 5year survival rates were 68.3% and 54.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 52.0±9.9months, whereas the 3year and 5year PFS rates were 60.2% and 43.9%, respectively. We found that preoperative KPS, extent of tumor resection, radiotherapy, tumor location and previous history of meningioma were factors related to PFS. In the non-recurrent group, the preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), extent of tumor resection and radiotherapy correlated with PFS. However, multivariate analysis identified radiotherapy as the only independent factor affecting PFS (p=0.007). Additionally, MIB-1 proliferation index failed to identify a cut-off point to predict the prognosis for anaplastic meningioma. This study provides an overview of the epidemiology and treatment of anaplastic meningioma in China using a large population.

Gangliocytomas in the sellar region

Gangliocytomas occurring in the sellar region are extremely rare. We examined a cohort of these tumors to examine their clinical presentations and prognoses. Between January 2000 and December 2012, 23 patients were diagnosed with sellar region gangliocytomas in Huashan Hospital. These patients were retrospectively reviewed for medical histories, endocrinological examinations, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pathological findings and follow-ups. Endocrinological tests revealed elevated prolactin (PRL) levels in 10 cases (43.5%) and elevated growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in 9 cases (39.1%). Scattered ganglion cells admixed with adenomatous components were observed in 16 cases (69.6%). In the remaining 7 cases (30.4%), only fragments with ganglion cells dispersed in the fibrillar matrix without adenohypophyseal components were detected. Immunohistochemistry revealed PRL-positive adenomas in 6 cases (26.1%) and GH-positive adenomas in 8 cases (34.8%). The average follow-up period was 4.2 years (range: 1-12.7 years). Gross total resection was achieved in 20 cases (87.0%). One patient recurred five years after tumor resection (4.3%). One patient died of acute myocardial infarction six years after operation. Gangliocytomas located in the sellar region may represent a unique immunopathological entity. The surgical results and prognoses of the gangliocytomas were comparable with those of pituitary adenomas.

Incidence of Pituitary Apoplexy and Its Risk Factors in Chinese People: A Database Study of Patients with Pituitary Adenoma

Background There are few studies of the incidence and clinical characteristics of pituitary apoplexy (PA) in pituitary adenoma patients, and the findings have been inconsistent. Objective The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the incidence, clinical presentation, surgical management and postoperative complications of PA in pituitary adenoma patients. Methods A database was specifically designed to collect clinical, therapeutic, prognostic and histological information about pituitary adenoma patients. Using multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to identify associated factors. Results A total of 2021 pituitary adenoma patients were recruited. 97 (4.8%) patients had PA. The incidence of PA was 10.11% in patients with pituitary macroadenoma, and 0.36% in patients with microadenoma. Variables for the logistic regression model independently associated with PA were sex (male vs. female, OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.59~4.07), tumor type (negative staining vs. positive staining, OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.29~3.23), and tumor size (macroadenoma vs. microadenoma, OR = 26.46, 95% CI = 9.66~72.46). Headache, visual deterioration, and vomiting were the most common symptoms in patients with pituitary adenoma. Patients with and without PA had similar frequency of visual deterioration, head trauma, acromegalic appearance, galactorrhoea, cold intolerance and Cushingoid appearance, but headache, vomiting, ptosis, diplopia, fever and blindness were significantly more common in patients with PA. Pearson Chi-Square tests revealed a significant difference in surgical approach between patients with and without PA (95.88% vs. 85.57%, P = 0.01). Conclusion Our findings suggest that PA is not a rare event. Male sex, non-functioning tumor, and macroadenoma are associated with an increased risk of PA. Compared with pituitary adenoma patients without PA, patients with PA have more severe symptoms.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Primary Hemangiopericytomas of the Central Nervous System: A Series of 103 Cases at a Single Institution

OBJECTIVEnHemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that tends to affect the central nervous system and is associated with distant metastasis and a high recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors in patients with primary HPC who received surgical treatment.nnnMETHODSnThis retrospective study reviewed all adult patients with primary HPC of the central nervous system treated from 2001 to 2009 at our institution. Clinical information, adjuvant radiation, and expression levels of Ki-67 and p53 were correlated with patient outcomes.nnnRESULTSnThe final analysis included 103 patients. The mean follow-up period was 75.9 months ± 36.5 (range, 1-165 months). There was a significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001) and overall survival (Pxa0= 0.014) between patients who underwent gross total resection versus subtotal resection. Expression of p53 was found in 48.5% of patients and showed utility as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for PFS (Pxa0= 0.006). Multivariate analysis revealed that only extent of tumor resection (Pxa0= 0.004) and p53 expression (Pxa0= 0.024) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Adjuvant radiation was found to extend PFS only in the p53-negative expression group (Pxa0= 0.044).nnnCONCLUSIONSnGross total resection significantly improves the outcome of patients with primary HPCs, whereas adjuvant radiation contributes significantly to PFS only in patients with negative p53 expression and in patients with incomplete resections. Extent of resection and p53 expression may serve as prognostic markers for the outcome of patients with primary HPC.

Endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenomas surgery: the surgical experience of 178 consecutive patients and learning curve of two neurosurgeons

BackgroundWe aim to study surgical technique and analyze the related factors affecting tumor total removal and postoperative endocrinological remission for endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenomas surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 178 endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenomas surgery from March 2011 to May 2014. Endonasal approach included the routine transnasal-sphenoidal approach, transnasal- maxillary sinus approach in four cases and transnasal-clivus approach in one case.ResultsAccording to postoperative imaging data and endocrine examination results, total removal was achieved in 129 patients (72.5%), and endocrinological remission was achieved in 38 patients with functional adenomas (44.1%). Statistical analysis of the clinical data showed that total removal rate was much closely related to tumor volume (Pu2009=u20090.006), and tumor invasiveness (Pu2009<u20090.001).ConclusionsIn this study, we found tumor sizes and invasion of cavernous sinus were related to total removal rate and endocrinological remission rate; the direction and degree of tumor invasion, and the surgeon’s experience were the key influence factors of the endocrinological remission rate for invasive functional pituitary adenomas.

Predictive value of PWI for blood supply and T1-spin echo MRI for consistency of pituitary adenoma.

IntroductionIt is a common view that consistency and blood supply of pituitary adenoma (PA) can influence the surgical effect. The aim of this study was to determine whether MRI signal intensity (SI) was correlated to the consistency or blood supply of pituitary macroadenoma.MethodsForty eight pituitary macroadenoma patients were underwent preoperative MRI, including precontrast and contrast-enhanced (CE) T1-spin echo (T1-SE) imaging, CE-sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) imaging, and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). The tumor consistency and blood supply were determined by neurosurgeons. The expression of collagen IV and MIB-1 was detected with immunohistology. The correlation of the relative SI (rSI) values (tumor to normal frontal white matter SI) and PWI data to the tumor consistency, blood supply, and the expression level of collagen IV and MIB-1 was statistically studied by Kruskal–Wallis rank test (K–W test).ResultsA significant correlation was observed between the tumor consistency and the rSI on precontrast T1-SE imaging (Pu2009=u20090.004) but not on CE T1-SE and CE SPACE imaging. The expression of collagen IV was also significantly associated with rSI on T1-SE imaging (Pu2009=u20090.010). The blood supply was correlated with the relative CBV (rCBV) (Pu2009=u20090.030). In addition, the expression of MIB-1 was correlated with rSI of CE T1-SE imaging (Pu2009=u20090.007).ConclusionOur results suggest that T1-SE imaging may be a simple and useful method for predicting consistency of PA. CBV value can provide helpful information for assessing the blood supply of pituitary macroadenoma.

Endocrine and Metabolic Outcomes After Transcranial and Endoscopic Endonasal Approaches for Primary Resection of Craniopharyngiomas

OBJECTIVEnCraniopharyngiomas have traditionally been resected through the transcranial approaches (TCA). The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has recently been developed as an alternative for surgeons, but controversy remains regarding which approach has better outcomes. We compared the endocrine and metabolic outcomes of TCA and EEA in patients who underwent primary resection of craniopharyngiomas.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with craniopharyngioma who were treated by the department of endocrinology and metabolism at our institution between 2011 andxa02015.nnnRESULTSnOf 43 patients assessed, 26 underwent TCA and 17 underwent EEA. After surgery, 29.4% (5/17) of patients in the EEA group had normal anterior pituitary function, whereas none in the TCA group had complete anterior pituitary function. Higher prevalences of corticotropic deficiency (92.3% vs. 52.9%, Pxa0= 0.009), thyrotrophic deficiency (96.2% vs. 52.9%, Pxa0= 0.003), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (100% vs. 70.6%, Pxa0= 0.014) were found in the TCA group. The TCA group showed a trend toward having more patients with at least 3 anterior pituitary deficits (88.5% vs. 58.8%, Pxa0=xa00.060). The mean body mass index at last follow-up tended to be lower in the EEA group (24.13 ± 3.16 kg/m2 vs. 26.79 ± 4.5 kg/m2, Pxa0= 0.079), and the preoperative body mass index was comparable between groups. Similar prevalences of overweight/obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and metabolic syndrome were detected in the 2 groups. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the rates of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection between the 2 groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnEEA may provide the same gross total resection rate for craniopharyngioma as TCA while providing better protection of anterior pituitary function.