Reported outcomes in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Transsphenoidal surgery is an established treatment for pituitary adenomas. We examined outcomes and time points following transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma to identify reporting heterogeneity within the literature. METHODS: A systematic review of studies that reported outcomes for transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma 1990-2021 were examined. The protocol was registered a priori and adhered to the PRISMA statement. Studies in English with > 10 patients (prospective) or > 500 patients (retrospective) were included. RESULTS: 178 studies comprising 427,659 patients were included. 91 studies reported 2 or more adenoma pathologies within the same study; 53 studies reported a single pathology. The most common adenomas reported were growth hormone-secreting (n = 106), non-functioning (n = 101), and ACTH-secreting (n = 95); 27 studies did not state a pathology. Surgical complications were the most reported outcome (n = 116, 65%). Other domains included endocrine (n = 104, 58%), extent of resection (n = 81, 46%), ophthalmic (n = 66, 37%), recurrence (n = 49, 28%), quality of life (n = 25, 19%); and nasal (n = 18, 10%). Defined follow up time points were most reported for endocrine (n = 56, 31%), extent of resection (n = 39, 22%), and recurrence (n = 28, 17%). There was heterogeneity in the follow up reported for all outcomes at different time points: discharge (n = 9), < 30 days (n = 23), < 6 months (n = 64), < 1 year (n = 23), and > 1 year (n = 69). CONCLUSION: Outcomes and follow up reported for transsphenoidal surgical resection of pituitary adenoma are heterogenous over the last 30 years. This study highlights the necessity to develop a robust, consensus-based, minimum, core outcome set. The next step is to develop a Delphi survey of essential outcomes, followed by a consensus meeting of interdisciplinary experts. Patient representatives should also be included. An agreed core outcome set will enable homogeneous reporting and meaningful research synthesis, ultimately improving patient care.

Reported baseline variables in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma over a 30 year period: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Heterogeneous reporting in baseline variables in patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma precludes meaningful meta-analysis. We therefore examined trends in reported baseline variables, and degree of heterogeneity of reported variables in 30 years of literature. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed and Embase was conducted on studies that reported outcomes for transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma 1990-2021. The protocol was registered a priori and adhered to the PRISMA statement. Full-text studies in English with > 10 patients (prospective), > 500 patients (retrospective), or randomised trials were included. RESULTS: 178 studies were included, comprising 427,659 patients: 52 retrospective (29%); 118 prospective (66%); 9 randomised controlled trials (5%). The majority of studies were published in the last 10 years (71%) and originated from North America (38%). Most studies described patient demographics, such as age (165 studies, 93%) and sex (164 studies, 92%). Ethnicity (24%) and co-morbidities (25%) were less frequently reported. Clinical baseline variables included endocrine (60%), ophthalmic (34%), nasal (7%), and cognitive (5%). Preoperative radiological variables were described in 132 studies (74%). MRI alone was the most utilised imaging modality (67%). Further specific radiological baseline variables included: tumour diameter (52 studies, 39%); tumour volume (28 studies, 21%); cavernous sinus invasion (53 studies, 40%); Wilson Hardy grade (25 studies, 19%); Knosp grade (36 studies, 27%). CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the reporting of baseline variables in patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma. This review supports the need to develop a common data element to facilitate meaningful comparative research, trial design, and reduce research inefficiency.

Intracranial gossypiboma 9 years after intracranial pressure bolt insertion: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Resorbable hemostatic agents left behind postoperatively occasionally result in granulomatous space-occupying lesions known as "gossypibomas." The authors report a case of an intracranial gossypiboma, which is exceedingly rare and frequently radiologically indistinguishable from other lesions. OBSERVATIONS: A 35-year-old woman presented with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure and subsequent left-sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an enhancing lobulated lesion subjacent to a right frontal burr hole, surrounded by vasogenic edema with mass effect and midline shift. Nine years earlier, she had had a triple bolt inserted to monitor intracranial pressure after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. Surgicel was used to control bleeding during insertion. Colocation of the lesion with the position of triple bolt 9 years earlier raised suspicion for gossypiboma. However, the minor nature of the surgery and the length of time since surgery to presentation placed this case well outside the range of cases reported in the literature. The lesion was resected en bloc with no recurrence 18 months later. Histological examination revealed the presence of foreign material. However, given its minute size, confirming its nature was not possible. Lessons: The authors show that gossypibomas can occur following a relatively minor procedure and remain clinically and radiologically silent for much longer than previously reported.