Adenoma acidófilo de células madre: reporte de un caso atípico / Stem cells acidopylic adenoma: report of an atypical case

Objective. We developed a bibliographic research of this rarely and highly aggressive entity, showing our experience and taking into account the special case of one patient, who developed an extremely aggressive disease. Description. Patient of 71 years that consults our department for left cavernous syndrome associated with moderate headache and bilateral visual accuracy diminish. Pituitary IRM was performed showing a homogeneous selar tumor that causes slight mass effect towards optic quiasm. Both cavernous sinuses were compromised. Intervention.Trasfenoidal surgery was performed, reaching the diagnosis of acidophil stem cell adenoma. The patient is dismissed. One week later and because of the development of sudden visual loss she was admitted once again. Pituitary IRM was performed showing a massive growth of the known lesion, requiring transcranial approach. Important mass reduction was achieved but our patient evolution was erratic. Three weeks after surgery we decided to repeat the IRM where we discovered the great mass reduction achieved in the second surgery did not reflect the voluminous lesion shown. One week later the patient died. Conclusion. Acidophil stem cell adenomas of the pituitary gland are mixed PRL/GH lesions, but because its immaturity non functional secreting hormones are produced; this is why these patients do not express physiognomic changes. We should think of this pathology in any pituitary tumor with low PRL-GH expression and few physiognomic changes, and aggressive natural evolution.

Adenoma acidófilo de células madre: reporte de un caso atípico / Stem cells acidopylic adenoma: report of an atypical case

Objective. We developed a bibliographic research of this rarely and highly aggressive entity, showing our experience and taking into account the special case of one patient, who developed an extremely aggressive disease. Description. Patient of 71 years that consults our department for left cavernous syndrome associated with moderate headache and bilateral visual accuracy diminish. Pituitary IRM was performed showing a homogeneous selar tumor that causes slight mass effect towards optic quiasm. Both cavernous sinuses were compromised. Intervention.Trasfenoidal surgery was performed, reaching the diagnosis of acidophil stem cell adenoma. The patient is dismissed. One week later and because of the development of sudden visual loss she was admitted once again. Pituitary IRM was performed showing a massive growth of the known lesion, requiring transcranial approach. Important mass reduction was achieved but our patient evolution was erratic. Three weeks after surgery we decided to repeat the IRM where we discovered the great mass reduction achieved in the second surgery did not reflect the voluminous lesion shown. One week later the patient died. Conclusion. Acidophil stem cell adenomas of the pituitary gland are mixed PRL/GH lesions, but because its immaturity non functional secreting hormones are produced; this is why these patients do not express physiognomic changes. We should think of this pathology in any pituitary tumor with low PRL-GH expression and few physiognomic changes, and aggressive natural evolution.(AU)

Evaluación diagnóstica de la somatomedina C en la acromegalia / Diagnostic evaluation of somatomedine C in acromegaly

El diagnóstico de acromegalia se ha basado tradicionalmente en los niveles de hormona de crecimiento (GH) después de una carga de glucosa por vía oral (CGO). Esta prueba ha sido reemplazada paulatinamente con la estimación de la concentración del factor de crecimiento insulinoide (IGF-I) conocido como somatomedina C, ya que parece reflejar más directamente la acción de la GH, lo que a su vez podría constituir un mejor indicador de la actividad clínica en la acromegalia. Se estudiaron 47 pacientes acromegálicos en los que se realizó una CGO como parte del protocolo diagnóstico, midiéndose la concentración basal de IGF-I y GH; esta última también se midió en las demás muestras de sangre. Los pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía transesfenoidal y el diagnóstico se confirmó histológicamente. Los niveles de IGF-I fueron altos en todos excepto en uno, lo que representa un valor predictivo de 98.7 por ciento. La concentración de GH estuvo elevada en 31 pacientes, lo cual significa un valor predictivo de 65.9 por ciento. Se concluye que la determinación de IGF-I, o comatomedina C, es una prueba diagnóstica confiable en la acromegalia y tiene ventaja adicional de un menor costo.

[Contribution of computerized tomography to the diagnosis and postoperative study of sellar tumors]. / Contribuição da tomografia computadorizada no diagnóstico e no estudo pós-operatório dos tumores selares.

The computerized tomography (C.T.) of 18 patients with sellar tumours were analysed. The C.T. made before surgery in 6 cases was positive in 3 and the type of tumour suggested by C.T. was confirmed in 3. Twelve patients had a C.T. investigation after surgery and the examination suggest recurrent tumour in 5. Two of these were re-operated. One patients with cholesteatoma had the recurrent tumour verified by surgery and the other, with a pituitary adenoma during re-operation was noted only cicatricial tissue at sellar region.

[Microadenomas and hypersecreting pituitary adenomas]. / Microadenomas e adenomas hipersecretantes da hipofise

The early radiographic changes of the sella turcica in the cases of hypersecreting pituitary adenomas (Cushing disease, acromegaly, amenorrhea-galactorrhea) are reported and discussed. The finding of the double contour of the sellar floor and the small crescentic bulging of its antero-inferior wall, with the aid of the tomographic cuts of the sella, has permited the diagnosis of the microadenoma'a localization. With this it si possible the achievement of a selective excision of the lesion in the initial stage, when the tumor has not caused yet irreversible damage to the inside normal pituitary tissue. This surgery is performed in the precocious stage with the primary goal to preserve the normal gland, without hurt it to avoid postoperative hipopituitarism. A anatomo-radiologic classification of the alterations sella turcica in 4 grades is made, which is of great utility for the surgical prognostic, since we have observed clinical and biological cure over 90% in the grade 1, 75% in the grade 2, 50% in the grade 3 and up to 10% in the grade 4 in the first surgery.