Surgical outcomes in patients with acromegaly: Microscopic vs. endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

Transsphenoidal resection of growth hormone-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumors remains the first-line treatment for acromegaly. This can be performed through microsurgery or endoscopic surgery. For the past decades, endoscopic surgery has become the preferred technique in an increasing number of centers worldwide. However, whether it offers superior clinical outcomes has yet to be determined. In this paper, we performed a narrative review of the literature comparing both techniques in the treatment of acromegaly. We critically assessed available comparative studies from an objective perspective to determine their suitability for defining superiority of either technique. Available evidence displays substantial methodological variations and reports conflicting findings. Although endoscopic surgery provides a wider exposure and enhanced visibility of the surgical field, this does not consistently translate into better clinical outcomes, as most tumors are equally accessible through both techniques. Postoperative outcomes such as remission and complication rates are similar between both techniques. The management of acromegaly should be performed by experienced pituitary neurosurgeons, regardless of the approach. The involvement of a multidisciplinary team in a dedicated pituitary center is critical to ensure optimal outcomes.

Current and Future Perspectives of Microscopic and Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas: A Narrative Review.

Transsphenoidal resection remains the standard treatment for most pituitary adenomas. However, the ideal surgical approach to safely access these lesions, either microsurgical or endoscopic, continues to be debated. Since the introduction of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, centers around the world have increasingly adopted this technique, experiencing a shift away from the conventional microsurgical approach. Large series reporting the efficacy and safety of endoscopic surgery have fueled a growing interest in comparing clinical outcomes between both approaches. Still, proving superiority of either surgical approach remains an elusive task due to the inherent drawbacks of surgical observational studies, as we are still faced with a growing body of evidence reporting conflicting results. Thus, a comprehensive discussion regarding the reach and limitations of both techniques becomes necessary. In this narrative review, we perform a critical appraisal of the literature and provide an expert opinion on the state-of-the-art in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas. The advantages and limitations of each approach are assessed and compared from a technical standpoint, and their reported outcomes evaluated in the framework of this transition phase. Available evidence should be interpreted in light of individual patient characteristics and within the context of each medical center, taking into consideration the known impact that surgical expertise and multidisciplinary management hold on clinical outcomes.

Diaphragma sellae: a surgical reference for transsphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenomas.

OBJECTIVE: To classify patterns of descent of the diaphragma sellae (DS) to the sella turcica after transsphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenomas and to determine whether there is any correlation between type of descent and volume or growth pattern of the tumor, as well as the presence of any postoperative hormone alteration, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and/or residual tumor. METHODS: One hundred patients with pituitary macroadenomas in which microsurgical transsphenoidal approach was indicated were prospectively included. We classified patterns of descent of the DS into four types: type A: symmetrical descent with a central fold corresponding to the pituitary stalk; type B: asymmetrical with a lateralized fold; type C: symmetrical and uniform descent without any fold; and type D: minimal or no descent in absence of visible residual tumor. A correlation was made between these types of descent and clinical and radiological findings. RESULTS: The largest tumors were types A and B; endocrine deficit was more frequent in types A and C, whereas the possibility of residual tumor was more elevated in types B and D. No statistically significant differences were found regarding tumor morphology and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that pattern of descent of the DS may serve as a reference to determine the risk of leaving residual tumor as well as the possibility of developing postoperative endocrine deficit. It is apparent that tumor volume, more than morphology, is the main factor determining type of descent of the DS.

Criterios de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la rinosinusitis crónica en servicios de medicina familiar, de otorrinolaringología y de alergia / Diagnostic and treatment criteria ofrhinosinusitis in units of familial medicine, otolaryngology and allergy

Antecedentes: la rinosinusitis es una respuesta inflamatoria que involucra a la membrana mucosa de la cavidad nasal de uno o más senos paranasales. Su prevalencia es de 14 y de 5 al 13 por ciento en adultos y niños, respectivamente. La rinosinusitis causa un alto índice de ausentismo escolar y laboral. Objetivo: conocer los criterios de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la rinosinusitis en unidades de medicina familiar, otorrinolaringología y alergia. Material y método: se estudió una serie de 25 pacientes obtenidos al azar de las Unidades de Medicina Familiar números 21 y 28 del IMSS. El diagnóstico se evaluó de acuerdo con el consenso de 1998 y la tomografía computada se consideró el estándar de oro, se realizó a todos los pacientes y se evaluó por un radiólogo cegado al estudio. Resultados: el diagnóstico de rinosinusitis lo realizaron las unidades de medicina familiar en 68 por ciento de los casos, el servicio de otorrinolaringología en 40 por ciento y el de alergia en 64 por ciento. Los criterios clínicos más utilizados fueron la congestión nasal y la descarga nasal anterior y posterior. El examen solicitado con mayor frecuencia fue la tomografía computada (38.7 por ciento) y, en 30 por ciento de los casos, no se prescribió tratamiento médico. Conclusiones: los médicos familiares, los otorrinolaringólogos y los alergólogos utilizan poco los criterios internacionales para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la rinosinusitis crónica. Los otorrinolaringólogos realizan otros diagnósticos diferenciales.