Is it really possible to predict the consistency of a pituitary adenoma preoperatively?

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the consistency of pituitary adenomas can be predicted based on a preoperative MRI study and to assess the surgical outcome of firm pituitary adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas and suprasellar extension were operated by a transsphenoidal approach from July 2003 to December 2006. In addition to the neurological examination, the patients were evaluated by ophthalmological, endocrinological and radiological workups. The signal intensity of the lesion on T2WI and other dimensions of the tumors were included in the MRI study. RESULTS: There were 52 male and 48 female patients with a mean age of 42.47 years. The mean diameter of the tumor was 32.97mm and the mean SSE was 14.95mm. Six out of 100 patients had firm adenomas peroperatively. Only one of the six patients had isointense SI on T2 WI. Of these 6 patients, total excision was performed in 1 patient, subtotal in 3 patients and partial excision in 2 patients. Among the six patients with firm adenomas, 4 had preoperative hypopituitarism (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between consistency and the postoperative permanent hypopituitarism (P<0.001). The average follow up was 43.5 months. The literature is reviewed and various aspects of pituitary adenoma consistency are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: With the present study, the consistency of pituitary adenomas cannot be reliably predicted based on a preoperative MRI study. Patients with firm adenomas likely to have more incidence of preoperative hypopituitarism and postoperative permanent hypopituitarism.

Role of serial ultrasonic optic nerve sheath diameter monitoring in head injury.

OBJECTIVES: To compare optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurements in head injury patients with a group of normal subjects and investigate the significance of serial ONSD monitoring in head injury patients. METHODS: All patients with a head injury admitted to our hospital with a program of conservative management at the time of admission were included in this prospective study. On admission, the patient was assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), orbital ultrasound for optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), and CT brain scan. CT scan findings were tabulated with Marshall and Rotterdam scores. The patient was serially assessed with ONSD every 24 to 48hours. If the patient deteriorated, repeat CT and ONSD measurements were performed. A control group consisting of normal subjects was used for comparison. RESULTS: The case group consisted of 40 patients and the control group included 16 volunteers. The mean age of the case group was 38.9 years and the control group 36.3 years. The mean ONSD was 4.8mm in the case group as compared to 3.4mm in control group (P<0.0001). In the case group, we found a significant correlation between GCS and ONSD, GCS and radiological scores and ONSD and radiological scores. The change in serial recordings of ONSD measurements were termed ascending, descending or static. All the patients with descending trend in serial ONSD values had good outcome and required no surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound ONSD measurement is a useful investigation tool in a setting where invasive ICP monitoring is not available. Serial recording of ONSD is valuable and provides valuable information regarding decision making.