Effectiveness of a Sellar Reconstruction Algorithm in Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: Insights from 490 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Rhinorrhea is a common complication after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (EETPS). This study evaluates the effectiveness of our sellar reconstruction technique in preventing rhinorrhea. METHODS: From June 2020 to March 2024, a surgical team performed 490 EETPS procedures on 458 pituitary adenoma patients. Demographic data, surgery status, and radiological and histopathological classifications were retrospectively analyzed. Four grades for sellar reconstruction were defined based on intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and diaphragm sella defect size. Grade 0: No CSF leakage; cavity filled with absorbable material. Grade 1: Small defect; covered with fat and fascia lata grafts. Grade 2: Large defect; added lumbar drainage. Grade 3: Extended approach; added nasoseptal flap. RESULTS: Of the 490 operations, 433 were primary and 57 recurrent. Patients were 50.2% male, mean age 49.01 years. Follow-up averaged 20.5 months. Postoperative rhinorrhea occurred in 8 cases (1.6%). In 404 surgeries (82.5%) without intraoperative CSF leakage, 3 cases (0.7%) developed postoperative rhinorrhea. CSF leakage was detected in 86 cases (17.5%), with postoperative rhinorrhea in 5 cases (5.8%). The risk of rhinorrhea was 8.3 times higher with intraoperative CSF leakage (p=0.005). Rhinorrhea rates: 0.7% in Grade 0, 3% in Grade 1, 8.7% in Grade 2, 0% in Grade 3 (p=0.017). Meningitis occurred in 8 patients (1.7%) and pneumocephalus in 4 (0.9%), with one death (0.2%). Average hospital stay was 17.4 days with rhinorrhea, 5.2 without (p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CSF leakage is highly correlated with rhinorrhea. Multilayered and graded closure strategies significantly reduce postoperative rhinorrhea rates in EETPS.

Effect of Resection and Surgical Experience on Survival in Patients with Craniopharyngiomas: Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery in Series of 31 Cases.

AIM: To share the surgical outcomes of 31 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) at a single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis of 31 craniopharyngioma cases (2013-2022) with a minimum 6-month follow-up included demographic data, preoperative findings, postoperative resection volumes, recurrence rates, pathological diagnoses, and complications. RESULTS: Herein, 34 EETS surgeries were performed on 31 patients (12 males, 19 females). The presenting symptoms included visual loss (58%), hypopituitarism (54.8%), and diabetes insipidus (25.8%). Gross total resection was achieved in 87% of the patients, with 64.5% total and 22.5% near-total resection. Total resection prevented recurrences, contrasting with 75% recurrence in the subtotal resection patients (p=0.000). The primary patients showed 73.1% total resection, while only 20% of the recurrent patients achieved it (p=0.049). When comparing the first 16 cases with the last 15 cases in terms of surgical experience, the rates of resection (p=0.040) and recurrence-free survival (p=0.020) in the last 15 cases were statistically significant. Patients with preoperative visual loss demonstrated 94.4% improvement or stability postoperatively. Postoperative complications included hypopituitarism (71.4%), permanent diabetes insipidus (60.8%), worsening vision (6.5%), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (9.7%), meningitis (6.5%), and a 3.2% perioperative mortality rate. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the role of surgical resection in craniopharyngiomas, emphasizing the impact of surgical experience on recurrence-free survival. Primary surgery, with minimal complications and maximal resection, is crucial in managing recurrence challenges. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery, particularly in experienced centers, offers advantages such as panoramic vision and access to the third ventricle base, facilitating total and near-total resection and extending recurrence-free survival.

Medium and Long-Term Data from a Series of 96 Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgeries for Cushing Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative data on Cushing's disease (CD) are equivocal in the literature. These discrepancies may be attributed to different series with different criteria for remission and variable follow-up durations. Additional data from experienced centers may address these discrepancies. In this study, we present the results obtained from 96 endoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries (ETSSs) for CD conducted in a well-experienced center. METHODS: Pre- and postoperative data of 96 ETSS in 87 patients with CD were included. All cases were handled by the same neurosurgical team between 2014 and 2022. We obtained data on remission status 3-6 months postoperatively (medium-term) and during the latest follow-up (long-term). Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathology results were obtained for each case. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 39.5±3.2 months. Medium and long-term remission rates were 77% and 82%, respectively. When only first-time operations were considered, the medium- and long-term remission rates were 78% and 82%, respectively. The recurrence rate in this series was 2.5%. Patients who showed remission between 3-6 months had higher longterm remission rates than did those without initial remission. Tumors >2 cm and extended tumor invasion of the cavernous sinus (Knosp 4) were associated with lower postoperative remission rates. CONCLUSION: Adenoma size and the presence/absence of cavernous sinus invasion on preopera-tive MRI may predict long-term postoperative remission. A tumor size of 2 cm may be a supporting criterion for predicting remission in Knosp 4 tumors. Further studies with larger patient populations are necessary to support this finding.

A rare tumor in the sellar region: ganglioglioma, a case report and a general overview.

BACKGROUND: Gangliogliomas are rare mixed neuronal-glial tumors of the central nervous system, accounting for less than 2% of intracranial tumors. CASE DESCRIPTION: This report presents a rare case of ganglioglioma in the sellar region of a 3-year-old and 5-month-old pediatric patient. The patient underwent surgical intervention initially through a transnasal transsphenoidal approach and subsequently through a transcranial pterional craniotomy approach. Subsequently, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered for residual tumor tissue. The purpose of this report is to highlight the presence of ganglioglioma as a distinct diagnosis in sellar region tumors, discuss the surgical, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy treatment options for sellar region gangliogliomas based on the literature, and contribute the patient's follow-up and treatment outcomes to the existing literature. CONCLUSION: Complete tumor resection may not be feasible in sellar region gangliogliomas, especially in pediatric cases, due to endocrinological and vision-related complications. In cases where complete resection is not possible, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may be considered. However, the optimal treatment approach has not yet been established, and further research is needed.

Predicting Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutation Status of Grade 2-4 Gliomas with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) Parameters Derived from Model-Based DTI and Model-Free Q-Sampling Imaging Reconstructions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters acquired with model-based DTI and model-free generalized Q-sampling imaging (GQI) reconstructions may noninvasively predict isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutational status in patients with grade 2-4 gliomas. METHODS: Forty patients with known IDH genotype (28 IDH wild-type; 12 IDH mutant) who underwent preoperative DTI evaluation on a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner were analyzed retrospectively. Absolute values obtained from model-based and model-free reconstructions were compared. Using the intraclass correlation coefficient, interobserver agreement was assessed for various sampling techniques. Variables having statistically significant distributions between IDH groups were subjected to a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent predictors, if present, were identified and a model was developed. RESULTS: Six imaging parameters (3 from model-based DTI and 3 from model-free GQI reconstructions) showed statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.001, power >0.97), with very high correlation to each other (P < 0.001). Age difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The optimal logistic regression model comprised a GQI-based parameter and age, which were independent predictors as well, producing an area under the ROC curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.926, 85%, 75%, and 89.3%, respectively. Using the GQI reconstruction feature alone with a cut-off of 1.60, an 85% of accuracy was also achieved with ROC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging parameters acquired from model-based DTI and model-free GQI reconstructions, combined with the clinical variable age, may have the ability to noninvasively predict the IDH genotype in gliomas, either alone or in particular combinations.

Discoidin domain receptor 1 as a promising biomarker for high-grade gliomas.

Background: Two fundamental challenges in the current therapeutic approach for central nervous system tumors are the tumor heterogeneity and the absence of specific treatments and biomarkers that selectively target the tumor tissue. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) expression and the prognosis and characteristics of glioma patients. Materials and Methods: Tissue and serum samples from 34 brain tumor patients were evaluated for DDR1 messenger ribonucleic acid levels in comparison to 10 samples from the control group, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis has performed. Results: DDR1 expression was observed in both tissue and serum samples of the patient and control groups. DDR1 expression levels in tissue and serum samples from patients were higher in comparison to the control group, although not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A significant correlation between tumor size and DDR1 serum measurements at the level of 0.370 was reported (r = 0.370; P = 0.034). The levels of DDR1 in serum showed a positive correlation with the increasing size of tumor. The results of the 5-year survival analysis depending on the DDR1 tissue levels showed a significantly higher survival rate (P = 0.041) for patients who have DDR1 tissue levels above cutoff value. Conclusions: DDR1 expression was significantly higher among brain tumor tissues and serum samples and its levels showed a positive correlation with the increased size of tumor. This study can be a starting point, since it investigated and indicated, for the first time, that DDR1 can be a novel therapeutic and prognostic target for aggressive high-grade gliomas.

The effect of COVID-19 process on patients with endocrinological disease in a pandemic hospital: What happened to the others?

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects of the pandemic process on those with an endocrinological disease that will require close follow-up from the last visit before the pandemic. Materials and methods: Patients of 3,903 with thyroid, calcium-bone metabolism, adrenal gland, pituitary diseases, and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) were retrospectively scanned. The remaining 855 (656 females and 199 males) patients with active disease or who still needed multidisciplinary approaches were included. The number of patients who continued the disease-related medical procedures and could complete these procedures on time in the pandemic period was determined, and medical deprivation rate (MDR) was calculated. Results: The prepandemic period of our patients with thyroid disease (n = 594), calcium-bone metabolism disorder (n = 130), adrenal disease (n = 85), pituitary disease, and NET (n = 46) had MDRs of 85%, 56%, 81%, and 89%, respectively. For each subgroup of patients, the lowest MDR (67%) was in medullary thyroid carcinoma, the highest MDR (89%) was in differentiated thyroid carcinoma; the lowest MDR (6%) was in osteoporosis, the highest MDR (100%) was in the active Paget's disease; the lowest MDR (0%) was in primary adrenocortical insufficiency, the highest MDR (100%) was in hyperfunctional adrenal adenomas; the lowest MDR (81%) was in pituitary nonfunctional adenomas, and the highest MDR (100%) was in Cushing's disease, active prolactinoma, TSHoma, and NET, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that not only those who had COVID-19 but also those who had medical deprivation due to their current endocrinological disease were not to be underestimated during the pandemic period.

AGR2 Gene Expression in Glioblastoma: A Novel Molecular Potential Target for Diagnosis and Treatment.

AIM: To assess anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) gene expression in patients with human glioblastoma (GBM) in comparison to levels in healthy brain tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated the expression levels of AGR2 gene in 34 tissue samples: 29 of them were derived from patients with glioblastoma (GBM group) and 5 were derived from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (control group). Moreover, in order to demonstrate the AGR2 gene expression, we performed RNA isolation from tissue samples, cDNA acquisition from RNA via reverse transcription and the demonstration of gene expression via real-time polymerase chain reaction. We therefore confirmed findings of both groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the GBM and control groups were 53.1 ± 12.82 years and 40.4 ± 10.92 years respectively. AGR2 gene expression levels of the GBM group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences of AGR2 gene expression levels across age groups, levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, hemoglobin, platelet, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 and T4 in GBM group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: AGR2 gene expression was significantly higher in patients with GBM. Thus, AGR2 gene can be considered as a potential therapeutic target.

Endonasal endoscopic approach for sellar metastatic pathologies: a national observation.

PURPOSE: Sellar metastases are rare lesions. Recent improvements in diagnosis and treatment strategies have prolonged survival but increased the probability of metastatic tumors. Evaluation with clinical symptomatology and meticulous laboratory examination is crucial. We present our multicenter national study on sellar metastases to evaluate and underline the main clinical, endocrine, and radiological considerations regarding the diagnosis and endonasal endoscopic management of such rare lesions. METHODS: A medical literature-based retrospective study was planned across 13 neurosurgical centers in Turkey, where a data survey was conducted to collect information regarding sellar metastases surgically treated using the endoscopic endonasal approach, including clinical presentation, radiographic features, primary tumor origin, histopathological confirmation, time to metastasis, treatment, and patient outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2020, 54 patients (22 women [40.7%] and 32 men [59.3%]) who underwent surgery with the endonasal endoscopic approach and had pathologically proven sellar metastases (overall incidence, 0.54%) were included. Of the patients, 59.3% had no known malignancy and presented with new-onset symptoms, 79.6% reported headache, 51.9% complained of some degree of visual deficits, and 50% had cranial nerve symptoms. Tissue biopsy was performed in 7.4% of the patients, whereas gross or subtotal resection was achieved in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the largest series of patients surgically treated with the endonasal endoscopic approach for sellar metastases. For these patients, the treatment focus should be on management modalities for increasing quality of life instead radical treatment options with survival benefit.

The effect of COVID-19 process on patients with endocrinological disease in a pandemic hospital: What happened to the others?

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the pandemic process on those with an endocrinological disease that will require close follow-up from the last visit before the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Patients of 3,903 with thyroid, calcium-bone metabolism, adrenal gland, pituitary diseases, and neuroendocrine tumor (NET) were retrospectively scanned. The remaining 855 (656 females and 199 males) patients with active disease or who still needed multidisciplinary approaches were included. The number of patients who continued the disease-related medical procedures and could complete these procedures on time in the pandemic period was determined, and medical deprivation rate (MDR) was calculated. Results: The prepandemic period of our patients with thyroid disease (n = 594), calcium-bone metabolism disorder (n = 130), adrenal disease (n = 85), pituitary disease, and NET (n = 46) had MDRs of 85%, 56%, 81%, and 89%, respectively. For each subgroup of patients, the lowest MDR (67%) was in medullary thyroid carcinoma, the highest MDR (89%) was in differentiated thyroid carcinoma; the lowest MDR (6%) was in osteoporosis, the highest MDR (100%) was in the active Paget's disease; the lowest MDR (0%) was in primary adrenocortical insufficiency, the highest MDR (100%) was in hyperfunctional adrenal adenomas; the lowest MDR (81%) was in pituitary nonfunctional adenomas, and the highest MDR (100%) was in Cushing's disease, active prolactinoma, TSHoma, and NET, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that not only those who had COVID-19 but also those who had medical deprivation due to their current endocrinological disease were not to be underestimated during the pandemic period.

Ubiquitin-specific Protease 8 Gene Expression in Sporadic Pituitary Adenomas.

OBJECTIVES: In sporadic pituitary adenomas, the role of Ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) is not clearly defined. Mutations in USP8 gene are known to influence formation of the corticotroph adenomas. However, it has not been clarified whether changes in expression of USP8 have an impact on other pituitary adenomas or not. In this study we addressed the changes in USP8 gene expression levels in pituitary adenomas (PA) relative to non-adenomatous brain tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: USP8 gene expression analysis was performed on a total of 43 tissue samples from human pituitary adenomas and on 16 tissue samples from non-pituitary brain tissues (control group). Adenomatous tissues and control tissues were assessed for quantification of RNA expression of USP8.The levels of USP8 gene expression were determined relative to those in control group. RESULTS: Overall, the USP8 gene expression levels in PA were 3.7 times higher than the control brain tissues (CBT) (p=0.002). However, after stratification, only the USP8 in the secretory PA were higher than CBT(p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Present findings support that USP8 gene expression levels may contribute to pitutary tumorigenesis and hormonogenesis..

Incidence and Management of Delayed Epistaxis Following Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Among other complications of endoscopic skull base surgery, delayed epistaxis has not been given much importance. This report presents postoperative delayed nosebleed cases in a large number of patients who underwent an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach to the sellar region for resection of lesions. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty three patients who were reached to the sellar region by endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal route and operated was included in the study. Retrospective chart reviewing of these patients was performed. The correlation between the duration of nosebleeds, bleeding location, treatment methods and comorbidities of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Ten patients (3.6%) reported delayed epistaxis in the postoperative period and were referred to the otolaryngology department. Postoperative epistaxis occurred between days 7th and 33th (mean 16.5) days. The treatment consisted of chemical silver nitrate cauterization in two patients, return to the operating room in three patients, nasal packing in five patients. CONCLUSION: Delayed postoperative epistaxis often has no obvious etiology, and intervention requires teamworking. Well-coordinated teamworking of the neurosurgeon with other specialities such as neuroradiology and otorhinolaryngology is needed to achieve better results.

Results of Endoscopic Surgery in Patients with Pituitary Adenomas : Association of Tumor Classification Grades with Resection, Remission, and Complication Rates.

OBJECTIVE: The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach is a widely-used method for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas. We aimed to evaluate the results of endoscopic surgery by comparing preoperative classification methods and investigating their relationship with postoperative resection and remission rates and complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 236 patients (118 males) who underwent surgery for pituitary adenomas. Preoperative Knosp classification, tumor size (TS), suprasellar extension (SSE), postoperative resection and remission rates, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The follow-up period was 3 months to 6 years. The patients' ages ranged between 16 and 84 years. Endocrinologically, 114 patients (48.3%) had functional adenoma (FA), and 122 patients (51.7%) had non-functional adenoma (NFA). Among the FA group, 92 (80.7%) showed remission. A statistically significant difference was found between patients with and without remission in terms of the Knosp, TS, and SSE classifications (p<0.01). Knosp, TS, and SSE classification grades were found to be correlated with the resection rates (p<0.01). Meningitis was seen in seven patients (3.0%), diabetes insipidus in 16 (6.9%; permanently in two [0.9%]), and rhinorrhea in 19 (8.1%). Thirty-six patients (15.3%) developed pituitary insufficiency and received hormone replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: The resection categories and remission rates of FAs were directly proportional to the adenoma sizes and Knosp grades, while the degree of suprasellar growth further complicated resection and remission rates. Adenoma sizes less than 2 cm and SSEs less than 1 cm are associated with favorable remission and resection rates.

Immunohistochemical Grading of Epidural Fibrosis with CD105 Antibody.

OBJECTIVE: Grading of epidural fibrosis (EF) is usually performed by histopathologic staining in experimental studies. Immunohistochemical methods for grading are not available in routine practice yet. In our study, the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA), a commonly used hemostatic agent in surgical interventions, was evaluated for use against the development of EF with classical histopathologic methods and immunohistochemistry using the CD105 antibody, a marker of angiogenesis. METHODS: Sixteen rats were used. The rats were assigned to 2 groups, control and TXA. Laminectomy was performed on the control group. In the treatment group, laminectomy + topical TXA was applied. After sacrificing the rats in the sixth week, histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations and grading of the EF tissue were performed. RESULTS: Conventional histopathologic parameters of fibroblast count, intensity of fibrosis density, and inflammatory cell density, as well as immunohistochemical evaluation with CD105, showed that the grading of EF was comparable between groups I and II (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The results of our study have demonstrated that CD105 is compatible with the conventional histopathologic grading methods and can be used as a marker to determine the grades of angiogenesis and fibrosis in experimental studies. The results of our study have also shown that TXA, administered locally for hemostasis, reduces the grade of EF in rats following laminectomy. TXA has been observed to cause no toxic effects on neural tissue as it is already commonly used in clinical practice.

Effect of Cetuximab on the Development of Epidural Fibrosis Based on CD105 and Osteopontin Immunohistochemical Staining.

STUDY DESIGN: The effect of cetuximab on the development of epidural fibrosis (EF) was assessed using immunohistochemical methods as well as antibodies for CD105 and osteopontin (OPN). OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess of EGFR inhibition for the postoperative treatment of fibrosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: EF is one of most common causes of failed back surgery syndrome, which occurs after laminectomy. Numerous causes and mechanisms have been proposed to explain its development after laminectomy. Many agents have been tested to prevent the development of EF. EGFR, a multi-functional transmembrane glycoprotein, causes cell growth, proliferation, and EF by interacting with epidermal growth factor and TGF-ß1. The inhibition of postoperative fibrosis using cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor blocker, is theoretically possible. However, this has not been tested to date. METHODS: Sixteen Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two groups, namely, control and cetuximab groups. L1-2 laminectomy alone was performed in both groups, and topical cetuximab was applied to the treatment group. After 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed and examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically; EF tissue was also graded. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Fibroblast counts and fibrosis density, determined by histopathologic examination, and EF, according to immunohistochemical assessment based on CD105, were found to be higher in the treatment group than in the control group, and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Based on OPN staining, the results were consistent with classical methods, and no significant difference was detected among the groups (P = 0.358). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that cetuximab inhibits the development of EF and that CD105, and not OPN, is a reliable marker for grading EF. In addition, cetuximab did not result in toxic, systemic side effects in surrounding tissues. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Impact of sorafenib on epidural fibrosis: An immunohistochemical study.

AIM: To determine if sorafenib, an antineoplastic agent, could prevent the development of spinal epidural fibrosis (EF). METHODS: The study used CD105 and osteopontin antibodies in an immunohistochemical approach to quantify EF that occurred as a consequence of laminectomy in rats. Wistar albino rats (n = 16) were divided into two groups: control (L1-2 level laminectomy only) and sorafenib treatment (L1-2 level laminectomy + topical sorafenib). The animals were euthanatized after 6 wk, and the EF tissues were examined for histopathological changes after immunohistochemical staining. The EF grades were assigned to the tissues, and the treatment and control groups were compared. RESULTS: The EF thickness, inflammatory cell density, and arachnoid adherences determined by light microscopy were significantly higher in the control group compared to the sorafenib-treated group. Based on fibrosis scores, the extent of EF in the treatment group was significantly lower than in the controls. Immunohistochemical staining for CD105 to identify microvessels revealed that the EF grades based on vessel count were significantly lower in the treatment group. Staining for osteopontin did not show any significant differences between the groups in terms of the extent of EF. The staging of EF based on vascular counts observed after immunohistochemical staining for CD105, but not for osteopontin, was compatible with conventional staging methods. Neither toxic effects on tissues nor systemic side effects were observed with the use of sorafenib. CONCLUSION: Local administration of sorafenib significantly reduced post-laminectomy EF. Decreased neovascularization in spinal tissue may be due to the sorafenib-induced inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor.

The value of serum survivin level in early diagnosis of cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Survivin is one of the apoptosis inhibitor proteins, and it plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis and cancer progression. This study was conducted to investigate the serum level of survivin to determine its diagnostic value in cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were taken from cancer patients (n = 67) prior to surgery or chemo/radiotherapy and age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 23). The serum levels of survivin were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The difference in serum levels between patients and control was evaluated by using statistical methods. Correlation between the serum levels of survivin and clinicopathological features of cancer patients were also evaluated. RESULTS: The diagnoses of patients were breast cancer (49.3%), colon cancer (25.4%), ovarian cancer (14.9%), and other cancers (10.4%). Serum survivin levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than healthy subjects (196.23 pg/ml vs. 117.73 pg/ml, respectively, P = 0.019). No significant relations were found between serum survivin level and demographic characteristics of cancer. The optimal cut-off value of serum survivin was determined at >120.8 pg/ml, and its serum levels above this cut-off value were associated with 4.198 times increased risk of cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study results may suggest that high serum survivin levels can show 4 times increased risk of cancer in a subject with a high suspicion of cancer. Furthermore, survivin level was not influenced with demographic characteristics of breast, gastric, colorectal, prostate, ovarian cancer, and glioblastome multiforme.

Evaluation of Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Epidural Fibrosis by Immunohistochemical Staining for CD105 and Osteopontin.

AIM: To evaluate bevacizumab for epidural fibrosis (EF) treatment in an experimental rat model using histopathology as well as immunohistochemical staining for CD105 and osteopontin (OPN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen Wistar Albino rats underwent either laminectomy alone to induce EF (group I, control) or laminectomy plus local bevacizumab treatment (group II). The degree of EF was compared between groups using the current histopathological grading method as well as immunohistochemistry for CD105 and OPN. In addition, the consistency of EF staging using CD105 and OPN expression was compared to that using histopathology. RESULTS: The grade of EF was significantly lower in group II than in group I based on the fibroblast count and fibrosis density determined using histopathology, as well as by CD105 expression determined using immunohistochemistry. In contrast, OPN expression was not a reliable marker for EF evaluation because it did not show a significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab prevents EF development as assessed using both histopathology and CD105 expression. CD105 is a potentially reliable marker for the immunohistochemical grading of EF, in contrast to OPN.

Comparison of Sinonasal Complications of Microscopic and Endoscopic Approaches for Transsphenoidal Hypophyseal Surgery: Prospective Study.

AIM: To compare sinonasal complications after microscopic and endoscopic approaches for pituitary adenomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At our clinic, sinonasal complications occurred in 31 patients who underwent microscopic transsphenoidal surgery between 2007 and 2014 and in 32 patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery between 2014 and 2016. We statistically compared the complications observed during endoscopic sinonasal examination performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. RESULTS: Sinonasal pathology occurred in 22 of the 31 patients (70.9%) in the microscopy group (Group 1) and 19 of the 32 (59.3%) in the endoscopy group (Group 2). Of the 31 patients in Group 1, 13 had nasal septal perforation, 13 had nasal synechiae, three had anosmia, two had hyposmia and one had saddle nose deformity. In Group 2, no patient had nasal septal perforation, whereas eight had nasal synechiae, one had anosmia, 11 had hyposmia, and 4 had infection. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences in sinonasal complications (e.g. synechiae, anosmia, deformity, and sinusitis) between the two groups. Although the perforation rate (especially for perforations in the middle portion of the septum) was statistically greater in Group 1 than in Group 2, the hyposmia rate was statistically greater in Group 2 than in Group 1.