ContextThe development of diabetes insipidus (DI) following transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas has been associated with higher postsurgical morbidity and longer hospitalizations. Identifying these patients promptly and efficiently can lead to improved health care outcomes.ObjectiveWe evaluated our institution’s incidence of DI following pituitary adenoma resection and assessed for preoperative risk factors that were associated with postoperative DI.DesignA retrospective review of 271 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of a pituitary adenoma between July 2010 and December 2016 by a single neurosurgical provider was completed.SettingAll cases were from a single-center, academic institution.PatientsPatients with a pituitary adenoma diagnosis confirmed on histology were included in the study. Those with previous surgery by a different provider were excluded.ResultsThe incidence of DI at our institution was 16.6% (45 of 271 patients), with only 4% (11 patients) having permanent DI. The presence of visual abnormalities (CI 1.29 to 4.75), suprasellar extension (CI 1.36 to 6.88), and maximal tumor diameter (1.02 to 1.08) was significantly associated with an increased incidence of postoperative DI (P < 0.05). Hyperprolactinemia, tumor functionality, and cerebrospinal fluid exposure were not associated with higher rates of postoperative DI (P > 0.05).ConclusionPituitary adenoma patients presenting with visual abnormalities, suprasellar extension, or large tumors are at higher risk of developing DI postoperatively. These patients warrant closer postoperative monitoring as well as adequate preoperative counseling to decrease their postsurgical morbidity.

Purpose In view of mounting attention related to possible brain retention of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in patients with normal renal function, our purpose was to detail results from a survey of pituitary experts to assess: 1) the timing interval and frequency of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following surgical and/or medical and/or radiation therapy of pituitary tumors, 2) awareness of the types of GBCAs used and their possible safety issues. Methods The Pituitary Society Education Committee composed a survey with 12 multiple choice questions, 8 of which specifically addressed the time interval and frequency of MRI in the longitudinal management of pituitary tumors. The survey was distributed at two meetings; the International Pituitary Neurosurgeons Society conference in San Diego, CA, on February 18th, 2018, and the Pituitary Society Membership and Career Development Forum, Chicago, IL on March 18th, 2018. Results There is consensus among pituitary endocrinologists and neurosurgeons that long-term repeated imaging is recommended in most pituitary tumors, although the precise strategy of timing varied depending on the specialist group and the specific clinical context of the adenoma. The data also suggest that International Pituitary Neurosurgeons Society neurosurgeons, as well as Pituitary Society neuroendocrinologists, are sometimes unaware of which contrast agents are used by their institution, and many are also unaware that evidence of long-term brain retention has been reported with the use of GBCAs in patients with normal function. Conclusions International pituitary endocrinologists and pituitary neurosurgeons experts suggest ongoing MRIs for the management of pituitary tumors; strategies vary based on clinical context, but also on individual experience and practice.

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BACKGROUND:Cushing disease represents a challenge for neurosurgeons, with high recurrence rates reported. Characteristics associated with remission are incompletely understood; thus, an intraoperative predictor for outcome would be valuable for assessing resection of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secreting tissue.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate whether intraoperative ACTH measurement could predict outcome after surgery for Cushing disease.METHODS:Retrospective cohort study of 55 consecutive encounters with Cushing disease who had peripheral plasma ACTH levels measured intraoperatively before, during, and after tumor resection. The primary outcome measure was remission, defined by either 2 negative 24-hour urine free cortisol or 2 negative midnight salivary cortisol measurements. A logistic regression machine learning model was generated using recursive feature elimination.RESULTS:Fifty-five operative encounters, comprising 49 unique patients, had a mean follow-up of 2.73 years (±2.11 years) and a median follow-up of 2.07 years. Remission was achieved in 69.1% (n = 38) of all operations and in 78.0% (n = 32) of those without cavernous sinus invasion. The final ACTH level measured intraoperatively correctly predicted outcome (area under the curve = 0.766; P value = .002). The odds ratio of remission in patients with the lowest quartile vs highest quartile final intraoperative ACTH was 23.4 (P value = .002). Logistic regression machine learning model resulted in incorporating postoperative day 1 morning cortisol, final intraoperative ACTH that predicted outcome with an average area under the curve of 0.80 (P = .0027).CONCLUSION:Intraoperative ACTH may predict outcome after surgery in Cushing disease; furthermore, investigation is warranted.

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