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Tsuang FY, Shih SR, Tseng HM, Wang HC. Perioperative growth hormone levels as an early predictor of new-onset secondary adrenal insufficiency following transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. Asian J Surg 2024; 47:1746-1755. [PMID: 38148260 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.12.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to predict new-onset secondary adrenal insufficiency (NOSAI) after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection surgery using perioperative growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) levels, among other factors. METHODS A cohort of 124 adult patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection for non-functioning pituitary adenoma, with routine perioperative glucocorticoid use, was used to develop the predictive regression model. An additional 46 patients served as the validation cohort. Generalized additive models were used to identify optimal cut-off points for the variables. RESULTS The GH level on postoperative day one (POD1) can be a simple predictor by implementing a cut-off point of 0.41 ng/ml. A value ≤ 0.41 ng/mL predicted NOSAI with 0.6316 sensitivity and 0.7810 specificity for the original cohort and 1.0000 sensitivity and 0.7143 specificity for the validation cohort. The multiple logistic regression model included perioperative PRL level difference, perioperative GH level difference, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, tumor size, and the combined effect of diabetes insipidus (DI) and relative perioperative GH level difference. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.9410 (original cohort) and 0.9494 (validation cohort) for the regression model. CONCLUSION Early morning GH level on POD1 can predict NOSAI with fair accuracy when perioperative stress dose glucocorticoid is administered. Prediction accuracy can be improved by considering CSF leakage, DI, and perioperative changes in GH and PRL in the final regression model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fon-Yih Tsuang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Spine Tumor Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shyang-Rong Shih
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ham-Min Tseng
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Chih Wang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
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Mc Donald D, Crowley RK. Potential pitfalls in diagnosis of immunotherapy-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression. ENDOCRINE ONCOLOGY (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2022; 2:L1-L3. [PMID: 37435461 PMCID: PMC10259334 DOI: 10.1530/eo-22-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Darran Mc Donald
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel Katherine Crowley
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Staby I, Krogh J, Klose M, Baekdal J, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Poulsgaard L, Springborg JB, Andreassen M. Pituitary function after transsphenoidal surgery including measurement of basal morning cortisol as predictor of adrenal insufficiency. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:750-757. [PMID: 34137733 PMCID: PMC8346196 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with pituitary adenomas undergoing transsphenoidal surgery require pre- and post-surgery examination of pituitary hormones. There is currently no consensus on how to evaluate the adrenal axis post-surgery. The aims of this study were to investigate factors that may predict postoperative adrenal insufficiency (AI) and to investigate the overall effect of transsphenoidal surgery on pituitary function. METHODS One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients who had undergone transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas were included. Data on tumour size, pituitary function pre-surgery, plasma basal cortisol measured within 48 h post-surgery and pituitary function 6 months post-surgery were collected. Patients with AI prior to surgery, perioperative glucocorticoid treatment, Cushing's disease and no re-evaluation after 1 month were excluded (n = 93) in the basal cortisol analysis. RESULTS Low plasma basal cortisol post-surgery, tumour size and previous pituitary surgery were predictors of AI (all P < 0.05). A basal cortisol cut-off concentration of 300 nmol/L predicted AI 6 months post-surgery with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, specificity of 81% and positive predictive value of 25%. New gonadal, thyroid and adrenal axis insufficiencies accounted for 2, 10 and 10%, respectively. The corresponding recovery rates were 17, 7 and 24%, respectively. CONCLUSION Transsphenoidal surgery had an overall beneficial effect on pituitary endocrine function. Low basal plasma cortisol measured within 48 h after surgery, tumour size and previous surgery were identified as risk factors for AI. Measurement of basal cortisol post-surgery may help to identify patients at risk of developing AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Staby
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Krogh
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne Klose
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Baekdal
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Clinical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Poulsgaard
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mikkel Andreassen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Clinical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Andreassen:
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English KA, Chikani V, Jang C, Dimeski G, Olson S, Inder WJ. The relationship between early post-operative ACTH / cortisol following pituitary surgery and long-term glucocorticoid requirement - Do ultradian rhythms matter? Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2021; 94:636-644. [PMID: 33369760 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether early (4-8h) post-operative ACTH after trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS) predicts long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and to investigate early morning day 1 ACTH/cortisol variability using rapid sampling. DESIGN Prospective observational study. METHODS Participants undergoing TSS were included; those treated with glucocorticoids pre-operatively received 100 mg intravenous hydrocortisone on anaesthetic induction. ACTH and cortisol were measured post-operatively at + 4h and + 8h after induction and on day 1 every 10 minutes between 0700h and 0900h. PRIMARY OUTCOME glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months. RESULTS Nineteen participants (10F, 9M): 6/19 (32%) were treated with replacement glucocorticoids pre-operatively; 4 had ceased by 6 weeks post-operatively. One patient developed new hypopituitarism post-operatively meaning 3/19 (16%) required glucocorticoids at 6 months. Post-operative + 4h ACTH < 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) predicted secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) (sensitivity 100%, specificity 75%), whilst no participant with a post-operative + 4h ACTH ≥ 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) required glucocorticoids at 6 months. Day 1 ACTH and cortisol showed a significant circadian fall between 0700h-0900h; ACTH 4.2 pmol/L (IQR 2.9-5.9) to 3.7 pmol/L (IQR 2.9-5.1) P = .006 and cortisol 549 nmol/L (IQR 337-618) to 439 nmol/L (IQR 315-606) P < .001, with clinically insignificant ultradian secretory pulses. CONCLUSIONS No participant with a post-operative + 4h ACTH ≥ 14.3 pmol/L (65 ng/L) required glucocorticoids at 6 months; however, given only 3/19 participants had the primary outcome of interest, this must be confirmed in a larger cohort. The timing of a day 1 morning cortisol between 0700h and 0900h influences the accuracy of a single cut-off to diagnose SAI after pituitary surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A English
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Viral Chikani
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Christina Jang
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Goce Dimeski
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Sarah Olson
- Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Warrick J Inder
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Prencipe N, Parasiliti-Caprino M, Gatti F, Penner F, Berton AM, Bona C, Caputo M, D'Angelo V, Cappiello V, Gasco V, Ghigo E, Zenga F, Grottoli S. Second-Day Morning Cortisol Levels after Transsphenoidal Surgery Are Accurate Predictors of Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency with Diagnostic Cut-Offs Similar to Those in Non-Stressed Conditions. Neuroendocrinology 2021; 111:639-649. [PMID: 32492678 DOI: 10.1159/000509092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple studies tried to identify cortisol cut-offs after pituitary surgery that could accurately assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function; however, there is no consensus nowadays. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of morning cortisol after transsphenoidal surgery in predicting long-term secondary adrenal insufficiency. METHODS In our tertiary center, we prospectively determined first- and second-day cortisol after transsphenoidal surgery in 92 patients without preoperative adrenal -insufficiency and not treated with glucocorticoids perioperatively. Definitive diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency was obtained with re-evaluation 3 months after trans-sphenoidal surgery and clinical follow-up of at least 1 year. RESULTS Ten patients (10.8%) developed long-term postoperative secondary adrenal insufficiency. The ROC curves demonstrated that first-day cortisol had a moderate diagnostic accuracy, while a second-day cortisol ≤9.3 µg/dL (257 nmol/L) showed the best performance in predicting adrenal insufficiency (sensitivity [Se] 88.9%, specificity [Sp] 86.9%, AUC 0.921). Moreover, a second-day cortisol ≤3.2 µg/dL (89 nmol/L) was able to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in 100% of cases (Se 22.2%, Sp 100%) and >14 µg/dL (386 nmol/L) was able to exclude ACTH deficiency (Se 100%, Sp 57.4%). CONCLUSIONS Adrenal function can be carefully studied on the second day after pituitary surgery, using cut-off values that international guidelines suggested for non-stressed conditions. In fact, second-day cortisol levels ≤3.2 μg/dL (89 nmol/L) and >14 μg/dL (386 nmol/L) are diagnostic of secondary adrenal insufficiency and normal function, respectively. We also suggest performing a definitive re-evaluation with an HPA axis stimulation test when second-day cortisol values are between 3.3 and 14 μg/dL (90-386 nmol/L).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Prencipe
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mirko Parasiliti-Caprino
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy,
| | - Filippo Gatti
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Penner
- Neurosurgery, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maria Berton
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Bona
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marina Caputo
- Endocrinology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Angelo
- Oncologic Endocrinology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cappiello
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Gasco
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ezio Ghigo
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Zenga
- Neurosurgery, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Grottoli
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Kumar R, Carr P, Wassif W. Diagnostic performance of morning serum cortisol as an alternative to short synacthen test for the assessment of adrenal reserve; a retrospective study. Postgrad Med J 2020; 98:113-118. [PMID: 33122342 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The short synacthen test (SST) is widely used across the UK to assess adrenal reserve. The main objective of our study was to determine the morning serum cortisol level that will predict adrenal insufficiency (AI) thus reducing our reliance on SST. DESIGN This was a single centre retrospective study of 393 SST tests measuring 0 and 60 min cortisol levels after administration of 250 μg of synacthen (synthetic ACTH). PATIENTS AND METHODS All the SST tests for patients suspected of primary or secondary AI between April 2016 and October 2018 were included in this study. We used serum to determine circulating cortisol by a newer generation competitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics). A post-ACTH cortisol response of ≥420 nmol/L at 60 min was considered adequate to rule out AI. The data were analysed to ascertain the relationship between 0 min and 60 min serum cortisol. RESULTS A total of 393 SST results were included in this study. Overall, a total of 332 (84.5%) subjects achieved sufficient serum cortisol level at 60 min, while 61 subjects (15.5%) showed insufficient response. Using the logistic regression, we determined that a morning basal serum cortisol level of ≥354 nmol/L was able to predict normal adrenal function with 100% sensitivity. We were unable to find a lower cut-off value below which SST will not be required. By using this proposed cut-off point, approximately 37% of the SSTs tests could be avoided. CONCLUSIONS Basal morning serum cortisol can be safely used as a first step in the evaluation of patients with suspected AI. This will enhance the number of patients being screened for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Kumar
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
| | - Peter Carr
- Statistical Analyst, The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
| | - Ws Wassif
- Clinical Biochemistry, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
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Kolnes AJ, Øystese KA, Dahlberg D, Berg-Johnsen J, Niehusmann P, Pahnke J, Bollerslev J, Jørgensen AP. Cut-off values for sufficient cortisol response to low dose Short Synacthen Test after surgery for non-functioning pituitary adenoma. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020; 162:845-852. [PMID: 31907611 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-019-04068-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to study the prevalence of secondary adrenal insufficiency before and after surgery for non-functioning pituitary adenomas, as well as determine risk factors for developing secondary adrenal insufficiency. A secondary aim was to determine adequate p-cortisol response to a 1-μg Short Synacthen Test after surgery. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. METHODS One hundred seventeen patients (52/65 females/males, age 59 years) undergoing primary surgery for clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas were included. P-cortisol was measured in morning blood samples. Three months after surgery, a Short Synacthen Test was performed. RESULTS All tumours were macroadenomas (mean size 26.9 mm, range 13-61 mm). The surgical indications were visual impairment (93), tumour growth (16), pituitary apoplexy (6) and headache (2). Before surgery, 17% of the patients had secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI), decreasing to 15% 3 months postoperatively. Risk of SAI was increased in patients operated for pituitary apoplexy (p < 0.001), while age, sex, tumour size and complication rate were not different from the remaining cohort. Three months after surgery, all patients with baseline p-cortisol ≥ 172 nmol/l (6.2 μg/dl) and peak p-cortisol during Short Synacthen Test ≥ 320 nmol/l (11.6 μg/dl) tapered cortisone unproblematically. In patients with intact hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, p-cortisol peaked < 500 nmol/l (18.1 μg/dl) during Short Synacthen Test in 48% of patient. CONCLUSION Pituitary surgery is safe and transsphenoidal surgery rarely causes new SAI. Relying solely on morning p-cortisol for diagnosing secondary adrenal insufficiency gives false positives and the Short Synacthen Test remains useful. A peak p-cortisol ≥ 320 during (11.6 μg/dl) Short Synacthen Test indicates a sufficient response, while < 309 nmol/l (11.2 μg/dl) indicates secondary adrenal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Jensen Kolnes
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kristin Astrid Øystese
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Dahlberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Berg-Johnsen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pitt Niehusmann
- Department of Neuro-/pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Pahnke
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neuro-/pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Manosroi W, Phimphilai M, Khorana J, Atthakomol P, Pipanmekaporn T. Predictive Factors of Adrenal Insufficiency in Outpatients with Indeterminate Serum Cortisol Levels: A Retrospective Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56010023. [PMID: 31936335 PMCID: PMC7022503 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: To diagnose adrenal insufficiency (AI), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests may need to be performed, but those tests may not be available in some institutions. In addition, they may not be necessary for some patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical and biochemical factors that could facilitate AI diagnosis in outpatient departments and decrease the number of unnecessary dynamic tests. Materials and Methods: This seven-year retrospective study was performed in a tertiary care medical center. A total of 517 patients who had undergone ACTH stimulation tests in the outpatient department were identified. AI was described as a peak serum cortisol level of <18 µg/dL at 30 or 60 min after stimulation. The associations between clinical factors, biochemical factors, and AI were analyzed using the Poisson regression model and reported by the risk ratio (RR). Results: AI was identified in 128 patients (24.7%). Significant predictive factors for the diagnosis of AI were chronic kidney disease (RR = 2.52, p < 0.001), Cushingoid appearance (RR = 3.44, p < 0.001), nausea and/or vomiting (RR = 1.84, p = 0.003), fatigue (RR = 1.23, p < 0.001), serum basal cortisol <9 µg/dL (RR = 3.36, p < 0.001), serum cholesterol <150 mg/dL (RR = 1.26, p < 0.001), and serum sodium <135 mEq/L (RR = 1.09, p = 0.001). The predictive ability of the model was 83% based on the area under the curve. Conclusion: The easy-to-obtain clinical and biochemical factors identified may facilitate AI diagnosis and help identify patients with suspected AI. Using these factors in clinical practice may also reduce the number of nonessential dynamic tests for AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Worapaka Manosroi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (W.M.); (M.P.)
- Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Statistic Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Mattabhorn Phimphilai
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (W.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Jiraporn Khorana
- Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Statistic Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Pichitchai Atthakomol
- Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Tanyong Pipanmekaporn
- Clinical Epidemiology and Clinical Statistic Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-53-936453
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9
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de Vries F, Lobatto DJ, Bakker LEH, van Furth WR, Biermasz NR, Pereira AM. Early postoperative HPA-axis testing after pituitary tumor surgery: reliability and safety of basal cortisol and CRH test. Endocrine 2020; 67:161-171. [PMID: 31556005 PMCID: PMC6969009 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-02094-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the reliability and safety of a postsurgical evaluation strategy of adrenal function using CRH stimulation and basal cortisol concentrations after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery from 2010 to 2017, in whom early postoperative basal cortisol and/or CRH-stimulated cortisol secretion were available, including confirmation of adrenal function during follow-up. Patients with Cushing's disease were excluded. Optimal test performances were assessed using ROC analysis. RESULTS A total of 156 patients were included. Sensitivity and specificity of the CRH test were 78% and 90%, respectively, and 86% and 92% for basal cortisol, respectively, using an optimal cutoff of 220 nmol/L. Eight patients had false-negative test results with the CRH test (normal test but adrenal insufficient at follow-up), and six patients with basal cortisol, the majority of which had multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and fluid imbalances. No clinical adverse events occurred in patients with false-negative test results. The diagnostic performance of a single basal cortisol measurement was superior to the CRH test. CONCLUSIONS The early postoperative basal cortisol is a safe and simple measurement to guide (dis)continuation of hydrocortisone replacement. However, disturbing factors, e.g., sodium balance disorders, contraceptives, untreated hypopituitarism, and illness impact the interpretation and in those cases this measure is unreliable. We propose an algorithm in which hydrocortisone replacement at discharge is based on basal cortisol <220 nmol/L on postoperative day 2 or 3 in a stable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friso de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniel J Lobatto
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leontine E H Bakker
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter R van Furth
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke R Biermasz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Center for Endocrine Tumors Leiden (CETL), Center for Pituitary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Kumar R, Carr P, Moore K, Rajput Z, Ward L, Wassif WS. Do we need 30 min cortisol measurement in the short synacthen test: a retrospective study. Postgrad Med J 2019; 96:467-472. [PMID: 31810992 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The short synacthen test (SST) is widely used across the UK to assess adrenal reserve but there remains no consensus on the timing of cortisol sampling to help diagnose adrenal insufficiency. The main objective of our study was to see if both 30 and 60 min sample are required following administration of synacthen to investigate suspected adrenal insufficiency (AI). DESIGN This was a single-centre retrospective study of 393 SSTs measuring 0, 30 and 60 min cortisol levels after administration of 250 µg of synacthen. PATIENTS AND METHODS All the SSTs for patients suspected of primary or secondary AI between April 2016 and October 2018 were included in this study. The tests were performed as per our hospital protocol. A post-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) cortisol response of 420 nmol/L at any time point was considered adequate to rule out AI. The data were analysed to ascertain the proportion of patients who achieved this level at 30 and/or 60 min. RESULTS A total of 393 SST results were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether (group A) or not (group B) they were on steroids. Overall, a total of 313 (79.6%) subjects achieved cortisol level of ≥420 nmol/L at 30 and 60 min while 19 (4.8%) had late response (ie, insufficient 30 min cortisol levels, rising to ≥420 nmol/L at 60 min). Another 61 subjects (15.5%) showed insufficient response at both 30 and 60 min (ie, failed to achieved level of ≥420 nmol/L). Importantly, there was no patient in either group who had adequate response at 30 min and then failed at 60 min. Patients in group A were more likely to have inadequate response at both 30 and 60 min while patients in group B were more likely to have normal response at both time points. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that about 5% of people undergoing SST may be inappropriately diagnosed as having AI (and subjected to long-term unnecessary steroid treatment) if the 60 min sample is not maintained. We suggest that 30 min sample does not add any additional diagnostic utility and can be omitted thus simplifying SST even further and saving on cost and resources. We propose that single measurement after 60 min of administration of synthetic ACTH is a sufficient screening test for AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Kumar
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
| | - Peter Carr
- Statistical Analyst, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Kimberley Moore
- Clinical Biochemistry, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
| | - Zeeshan Rajput
- Department of Acute Medicine, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
| | - Louise Ward
- Clinical Biochemistry, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
| | - W S Wassif
- Clinical Biochemistry, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford, UK
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11
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Vulto A, Bergthorsdottir R, van Faassen M, Kema IP, Johannsson G, van Beek AP. Residual endogenous corticosteroid production in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2019; 91:383-390. [PMID: 31059146 PMCID: PMC6851705 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed at comparing precursors of endogenous corticosteroid production in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency and in secondary adrenal insufficiency. DESIGN Twenty patients with primary adrenal insufficiency and matched controls and 19 patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency participated in this ancillary analysis of two different studies. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency were on stable hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone therapy. Patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency received two different doses of hydrocortisone in a randomized crossover study. Main outcome measures were concentrations of precursors of cortisol and aldosterone measured by LC-MS/MS RESULTS: Compared to controls, progressively lower concentrations of the glucocorticoid precursors 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone concentrations were found in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency on lower hydrocortisone dose, secondary adrenal insufficiency on higher hydrocortisone dose and primary adrenal insufficiency, respectively. Half of the primary adrenal insufficient patients showed evidence of residual endogenous cortisol or aldosterone synthesis, as determined by quantifiable 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone conce ntrations. In secondary adrenal insufficient patients with higher endogenous cortisol production, as indicated by 11-deoxycortisol concentrations above the median, no increased cortisol exposure was observed both by plasma pharmacokinetic parameters and 24-hour free cortisol excretion in urine. CONCLUSIONS Adrenal corticosteroid production is likely to continue during treatment in a considerable percentage of patients with both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. In patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency, this synthesis appears to be sensitive to the dose of hydrocortisone. However, the residual corticosteroid concentrations were quantitatively low and its clinical significance remains therefore to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annet Vulto
- Department of EndocrinologyUniversity of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ragnhildur Bergthorsdottir
- Department of EndocrinologySahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of MedicineSahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Martijn van Faassen
- Department of Laboratory MedicineUniversity of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ido P. Kema
- Department of Laboratory MedicineUniversity of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of EndocrinologySahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of MedicineSahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - André P. van Beek
- Department of EndocrinologyUniversity of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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12
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Esposito D, Olsson DS, Ragnarsson O, Buchfelder M, Skoglund T, Johannsson G. Non-functioning pituitary adenomas: indications for pituitary surgery and post-surgical management. Pituitary 2019; 22:422-434. [PMID: 31011999 PMCID: PMC6647426 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-019-00960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are associated with impaired well-being, increased comorbidities, and reduced long-term survival. Data on optimal management of NFPAs around surgical treatment are scarce, and postoperative treatment and follow-up strategies have not been evaluated in prospective trials. Here, we review the preoperative, perioperative, and early postoperative management of patients with NFPAs. METHODS We searched Medline and the Cochrane Library for articles published in English with the following items "Pituitary neoplasms AND Surgery" and "Surgery AND Hypopituitarism". Studies containing detailed analyses of the management of NFPAs in adult patients, including pituitary surgery, endocrine care, imaging, ophthalmologic assessment and long-term outcome were reviewed. RESULTS Treatment options for NFPAs include active surveillance, surgical resection, and radiotherapy. Pituitary surgery is currently recommended as first-line treatment in patients with visual impairment due to adenomas compressing the optic nerves or chiasma. Radiotherapy is reserved for large tumor remnants or tumor recurrence following one or more surgical attempts. There is no consensus of optimal pre-, peri-, and postoperative management such as timing, frequency, and duration of endocrine, radiologic, and ophthalmologic assessments as well as management of smaller tumor remnants or tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS In clinical practice, there is a great variation in the treatment and follow-up of patients with NFPAs. We have, based on available data, suggested an optimal management strategy for patients with NFPAs in relation to pituitary surgery. Prospective trials oriented at drawing up strategies for the management of NFPAs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Esposito
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Daniel S Olsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlange, Germany
| | - Thomas Skoglund
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
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13
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Polovina TS, Kraljevic I, Solak M, Balasko A, Haxhiu A, Haxhiu A, Dusek T, Poljicanin T, Kastelan D. Early Basal Cortisol Level as a Predictor of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Function After Pituitary Tumor Surgery. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2019; 128:709-714. [PMID: 31091548 DOI: 10.1055/a-0885-1568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of the early postoperative basal cortisol level in assessing the postoperative hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function after pituitary tumor surgery. METHODS We performed a prospective observational study that enrolled 83 patients operated for pituitary adenoma or other sellar lesions at the University Hospital Center Zagreb between December 2013 and April 2017 (44 nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, 28 somatotropinomas, 5 craniopharyngiomas, 2 prolactinomas resistant to medical therapy and 4 other lesions - Rathke's cleft cyst, arachnoid cyst, chondroma and gangliocytoma). Exclusion criteria were Cushing's disease, chronic therapy with glucocorticoids prior to surgery and preoperative adrenal insufficiency. Early postoperative basal cortisol levels (measured on the second postoperative day) and the Synacthen stimulation test (performed 3 months after the surgery with the peak cortisol level of>500 nmol/L considered as a normal response) were analyzed to assess HPA axis function during follow-up. RESULTS ROC analysis showed a cut-off of the basal cortisol level of ≥300 nmol/L measured on the second postoperative day to predict normal postoperative HPA axis function with the sensitivity of 92.31%, specificity of 87.14% and positive predictive value of 57.14%. CONCLUSION The basal cortisol level on the second postoperative day is a valuable tool to predict integrity of the HPA axis after pituitary tumor surgery. Our data suggest that the cortisol level of ≥300 nmol/L accurately predicts adrenal sufficiency and that in these patients glucocorticoid therapy can be withdrawn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivana Kraljevic
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia
| | - Mirsala Solak
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia
| | - Annemarie Balasko
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia
| | - Arta Haxhiu
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia
| | - Arita Haxhiu
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia
| | - Tina Dusek
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia.,School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Coatia
| | | | - Darko Kastelan
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Coatia.,School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Coatia
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14
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Jackanich A, Tavakol S, Strickland BA, Rutkowski M, Kamel D, Carmichael JD, Weiss M, Zada G. Clinical utility of routine postoperative morning cortisol monitoring in detecting new hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis insufficiency following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for sellar lesions. J Neurosurg 2019; 132:1054-1058. [PMID: 30835697 DOI: 10.3171/2018.11.jns182521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is a well-documented complication of transsphenoidal craniotomy (TSC) for sellar lesions. The authors aimed to assess their multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative hypocortisolemia utilizing conservative screening methods. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of 257 patients who underwent TSC for pituitary adenoma (PA) or Rathke cleft cyst (RCC) at the University of Southern California between 2012 and 2017. Patients with preoperative adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's disease, or < 3 months of postoperative follow-up were excluded. Patient demographics, pathology, tumor characteristics, and complications were recorded. Postoperative day 1 (POD1) morning serum cortisol was assessed in all patients. Hypocortisolemia on POD1 (serum cortisol < 5 μg/dl) prompted a 7 am cortisol level measurement on POD 2 (POD2). Clinical signs and symptoms of hypocortisolemia were consistently monitored. After two serum cortisol levels < 5 μg/dl, or one serum level < 5 μg/dl plus a high clinical suspicion for HPA dysfunction, high-risk patients received glucocorticoid supplementation. RESULTS Data on 165 patients were included in the analysis; there were 101 women (61.2%) and 64 men (38.7%). Preoperative diagnoses included nonfunctional adenoma (n = 97, 58.7%), growth hormone-secreting adenoma (n = 37, 22.4%), RCC (n = 18, 10.9%), prolactinoma (n = 8, 4.8%), and other (n = 5, 3.0%). One hundred thirty-eight patients (63.0%) had either suprasellar extension or cavernous sinus invasion. POD1 hypocortisolemia was diagnosed in 8 patients (4.8%). Of these patients, 2 (1.2%) were clinically asymptomatic and had normalized POD2 cortisol levels. Six patients (3.6%) had clinical symptoms and POD2 cortisol levels confirming HPA axis deficiency. Of these 6 patients treated with early glucocorticoid replacement, 2 patients recovered HPA axis function during follow-up, making the incidence of new, permanent HPA axis deficiency 2.5%. CONCLUSIONS In the authors' institutional review, all patients warranting postoperative glucocorticoid replacement had both complicated surgical courses and associated clinical symptoms of hypocortisolemia. The authors' algorithm of withholding steroids until patients demonstrate clear evidence of postoperative hypocortisolemia is safe and clinically efficacious. Their data further suggest that routine postoperative cortisol screening may not be necessary following an uncomplicated operative resection, with gland preservation and the absence of clinical symptoms indicative of HPA dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dina Kamel
- 2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - John D Carmichael
- 2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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15
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Møller MW, Andersen MS, Pedersen CB, Kristensen BW, Poulsen FR. Intraoperative low field MRI in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:897-906. [PMID: 29967186 PMCID: PMC6063879 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative low field MRI (iMRI, 0.15 T) during transsphenoidal surgery on pituitary adenomas (PAs) may significantly improve tumor removal. However, extensive surgery can lead to pituitary hormone deficiency. Furthermore, introduction of iMRI will prolong duration of surgery, which may elevate risk of postoperative infections. METHODS Overall, 180 transsphenoidal surgeries for PAs from 2007 to 2015 were included. IMRI was available from 2011 to 2015, during this period 67/78 (86%) surgeries were with iMRI (iMRI, n = 67). A total of 113 surgeries were performed without iMRI (controls). All surgical procedures were performed by microscopic technique. Tumor size, hormonal status and vision were assessed before surgery and 3-5 months postoperatively. RESULTS Gross total resection (GTR), mean tumor remnant volume and ∆-volumes were comparable between iMRI and controls: 15% (10/66) vs 23% (26/109) (P = 0.17), 2.97 cm3 (0.9-5) vs 2.1 cm3 (1.6-2.6) (P = 0.3) and 4.5 cm3 (3.6-5.5) vs 5.1 cm3 (4.2-6) (P = 0.4), respectively. Duration of surgery was significantly longer during iMRI vs controls: 126 min (117-135) vs 98 min (92-103) (P < 0.001). New pituitary-adrenal deficiency in iMRI vs controls was seen in 35% (17/48) and 35% (23/66) of surgeries, respectively (P = 0.95). New thyroid deficiency was found in 33% (13/29) and 41% (28/69) and visual field deficiencies improved in 44% (19/43) and 38% (23/60) in iMRI vs controls, respectively (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION Tumor remnant after pituitary surgery was not significantly reduced using intraoperative low field MRI. Duration of surgery was increased in iMRI, but was not associated with increased infection rate. Pituitary hormonal function and vision were comparable between iMRI and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Winkler Møller
- Department of NeurosurgeryOdense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Clinical InstituteUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Marianne Skovsager Andersen
- Clinical InstituteUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of EndocrinologyOdense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Christian Bonde Pedersen
- Department of NeurosurgeryOdense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Clinical InstituteUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Winther Kristensen
- Clinical InstituteUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of PathologyOdense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Frantz Rom Poulsen
- Department of NeurosurgeryOdense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Clinical InstituteUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
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16
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Adrenal Axis Insufficiency After Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenomas. World Neurosurg 2018; 112:e869-e875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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17
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English K, Inder WJ, Weedon Z, Dimeski G, Sorbello J, Russell AW, Duncan EL, Cuneo R. Prospective evaluation of a week one overnight metyrapone test with subsequent dynamic assessments of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function after pituitary surgery. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 87:35-43. [PMID: 28329436 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether an overnight metyrapone test (OMT) within the first week postpituitary surgery can definitively assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, compared with subsequent dynamic tests and glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months. DESIGN Prospective study measuring morning cortisol levels on days 3 and 4 post-operatively, OMT day 5-7 and week 6, week 6 250 μg short Synacthen test (SST) and week 7 insulin tolerance test (ITT). PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Forty participants who underwent pituitary surgery at a single centre (Cushing's disease excluded) were followed for at least 6 months. 46% had pre-operative adrenal insufficiency. PRIMARY OUTCOME week 1 OMT compared to glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months. SECONDARY OUTCOMES the performance of ITT as a "definitive" test and all tests compared to glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months. RESULTS Week 1 OMT showed concordance with ITT at week 7 of 78% and glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months of 81% respectively which was not significantly different from post-operative morning cortisol levels; 37% of participants with an abnormal OMT on day 6 had a normal OMT at week 6. All HPA axis tests showed similar concordance with glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months of 80%-85%. CONCLUSIONS Overnight metyrapone test within the first week after pituitary surgery was no better than an early morning cortisol level at predicting glucocorticoid requirement at 6 months. OMT at week 6 demonstrated recovery of HPA axis in a substantial proportion of participants who failed earlier assessments; thus, definitive testing should be delayed until 6 weeks post-operatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine English
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Warrick J Inder
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zara Weedon
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Goce Dimeski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jane Sorbello
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony W Russell
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emma L Duncan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ross Cuneo
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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18
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El-Farhan N, Rees DA, Evans C. Measuring cortisol in serum, urine and saliva - are our assays good enough? Ann Clin Biochem 2017; 54:308-322. [PMID: 28068807 DOI: 10.1177/0004563216687335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in response to stress. It is essential for maintaining health and wellbeing and leads to significant morbidity when deficient or present in excess. It is lipophilic and is transported bound to cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) and albumin; a small fraction (∼10%) of total serum cortisol is unbound and biologically active. Serum cortisol assays measure total cortisol and their results can be misleading in patients with altered serum protein concentrations. Automated immunoassays are used to measure cortisol but lack specificity and show significant inter-assay differences. Liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) offers improved specificity and sensitivity; however, cortisol cut-offs used in the short Synacthen and Dexamethasone suppression tests are yet to be validated for these assays. Urine free cortisol is used to screen for Cushing's syndrome. Unbound cortisol is excreted unchanged in the urine and 24-h urine free cortisol correlates well with mean serum-free cortisol in conditions of cortisol excess. Urine free cortisol is measured predominantly by immunoassay or LC-MS/MS. Salivary cortisol also reflects changes in unbound serum cortisol and offers a reliable alternative to measuring free cortisol in serum. LC-MS/MS is the method of choice for measuring salivary cortisol; however, its use is limited by the lack of a single, validated reference range and poorly standardized assays. This review examines the methods available for measuring cortisol in serum, urine and saliva, explores cortisol in disease and considers the difficulties of measuring cortisol in acutely unwell patients and in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia El-Farhan
- 1 Biochemistry Department, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK
| | - D Aled Rees
- 2 Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Carol Evans
- 3 Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
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Garrahy A, Agha A. How should we interrogate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with suspected hypopituitarism? BMC Endocr Disord 2016; 16:36. [PMID: 27316460 PMCID: PMC4912809 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-016-0117-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypopituitarism is deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones, of which adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) deficiency is the most serious and potentially life-threatening. It may occur in isolation or, more commonly as part of more widespread pituitary failure. Diagnosis requires demonstration of subnormal cortisol rise in response to stimulation with hypoglycemia, glucagon, ACTH(1-24) or in the setting of acute illness. The choice of diagnostic test should be individualised for the patient and clinical scenario. A random cortisol and ACTH level may be adequate in making a diagnosis in an acutely ill patient with a suspected adrenal crisis e.g. pituitary apoplexy. Often however, dynamic assessment of cortisol reserve is needed. The cortisol response is both stimulus and assay- dependent and normative values should be derived locally. Results must be interpreted within clinical context and with understanding of potential pitfalls of the test used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Garrahy
- Division of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amar Agha
- Division of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
- RCSI Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
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20
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Baek CO, Kim YJ, Kim JH, Park JH. Isolated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone or Thyrotropin Deficiency Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Three Cases with Long-Term Follow-Up. Korean J Neurotrauma 2016; 11:139-43. [PMID: 27169080 PMCID: PMC4847509 DOI: 10.13004/kjnt.2015.11.2.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have examined the clinical features and long-term outcomes of isolated pituitary hormone deficiencies after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Such deficiencies typically present at time intervals after TBI, especially after mild injuries such as concussions, which makes their diagnosis difficult without careful history taking. It is necessary to improve diagnosis and prevent life threatening or morbid conditions such as those that may occur in deficiencies of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or thyroid-stimulating hormone (as known as thyrotropin, TSH), the two most important pituitary hormones in hypopituitarism treatment. Here, we report two cases of isolated ACTH deficiency and one case of isolated TSH deficiency. These patients presented at different time points after concussion and underwent long-term follow-ups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho-Ok Baek
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Yu Ji Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Park
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
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21
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Cerina V, Kruljac I, Radosevic JM, Kirigin LS, Stipic D, Pecina HI, Vrkljan M. Diagnostic Accuracy of Perioperative Measurement of Basal Anterior Pituitary and Target Gland Hormones in Predicting Adrenal Insufficiency After Pituitary Surgery. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e2898. [PMID: 26945381 PMCID: PMC4782865 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000002898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold standard for diagnosing adrenal insufficiency (AI) after pituitary surgery. The ITT is unpleasant for patients, requires close medical supervision and is contraindicated in several comorbidities. The aim of this study was to analyze whether tumor size, remission rate, preoperative, and early postoperative baseline hormone concentrations could serve as predictors of AI in order to increase the diagnostic accuracy of morning serum cortisol. This prospective study enrolled 70 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed pituitary adenomas. Thirty-seven patients had nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NPA), 28 had prolactinomas and 5 had somatotropinomas. Thyroxin (T4), thyrotropin (TSH), prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) were measured preoperatively and on the sixth postoperative day. Serum morning cortisol was measured on the third postoperative day (CORT3) as well as the sixth postoperative day (CORT6). Tumor mass was measured preoperatively and remission was assessed 3 months after surgery. An ITT was performed 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Remission was achieved in 48% of patients and AI occurred in 51%. Remission rates and tumor type were not associated with AI. CORT3 had the best predictive value for AI (area under the curve (AUC) 0.868, sensitivity 82.4%, specificity 83.3%). Tumor size, preoperative T4, postoperative T4, and TSH were also associated with AI in a multivariate regression model. A combination of all preoperative and postoperative variables (excluding serum cortisol) had a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 77.8%. The predictive power of CORT3 substantially improved by adding those variables into the model (AUC 0.921, sensitivity 94.1%, specificity 78.3%, PPV 81.9%, NPV of 92.7%). In a subgroup analysis that included only female patients with NPA, LH had exactly the same predictive value as CORT3. The addition of baseline LH to CORT3, increased sensitivity to 100.0%, specificity to 88.9%, PPV to 90.4%, and NPV to 100.0%. Besides CORT3, tumor size, thyroid hormones, and gonadotropins can serve as predictors of AI. LH in postmenopausal female patients with NPA has similar diagnostic accuracy as CORT3. Further studies are needed in order to validate the scoring system proposed by this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vatroslav Cerina
- From the Department of Neurosurgery (VC, DS), Department of Radiology (HIP), University Hospital Center "Sestre Milosrdnice," and Department of Endocrinology (IK, JMR, LK, MV), Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases "Mladen Sekso," University Hospital Center "Sestre Milosrdnice," University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
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Tohti M, Li J, Zhou Y, Hu Y, Yu Z, Ma C. Is peri-operative steroid replacement therapy necessary for the pituitary adenomas treated with surgery? A systematic review and meta analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119621. [PMID: 25775019 PMCID: PMC4361329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with pituitary adenomas usually receive “stress dose” steroids in the peri-operative peroids. Though randomized controlled trials(RCT) have not been performed to assess the necessity of steroid coverage, there are several studies that explained the changes of adrenal function during peri-operative peroids. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether it is necessary to employ conventional peri-operative glucocorticoid replacement therapy to all the patients undergoing surgery. Methods We searched studies addressing peri-operative steroids coverage for pituitary adenomas in the Web of Science, Medline and the Cochrane Library. Then we extracted studies about peri-operative morning serum cortisol(MSC) levels, morbidity of early postoperative adrenal insufficiency, postoperative diabetes insipidus, relationships between MSC levels and adrenal integrity. We used RevMan Software to combine the results for meta-analysis. We used fixed-effects models for there was no significant heterogeneity existed. Findings There are 18 studies from 11 countries published between 1987 and 2013 including 1224 patients. The postoperative serum cortisol levels were significantly increased compared with the preoperative one in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPAA) functions preserved patients(P<0.00001). The morbidity of early postoperative adrenal insufficiency ranged from 0.96% to 12.90%, with the overall morbidity of 5.55%(41/739). There was no significant differences of early postoperative diabetes insipidus between no supplementation patients and in supplementation patients(P=0.82). Conversely, there may be some disadvantages of high levels of cortisols such as high incidence of osteopenia and bone derangement and even the increased mortality rate. The patients with MSC levels of less than 60 nmol/l at 3 days after operation is considered as adrenal insufficient and more than 270 nmol/l as adrenal sufficient. To patients with MSC levels of 60–270 nmol/l, we need more clinical data to establish further cortisol supplementation criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamatemin Tohti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuebing Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhuang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chiyuan Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
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Hána V, JeŽková J, Kosák M, Kršek M, Marek J, Netuka D, Hill M, Hána V. Prediction of adrenocortical insufficiency after pituitary adenoma surgery using postoperative basal cortisol levels. Physiol Res 2014; 64:531-6. [PMID: 25470518 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to analyze the correlation of early postoperative cortisol levels in patients after transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery compared to the standard dose ACTH test and Insulin tolerance test (ITT) several months later. We retrospectively reviewed data from 94 patients operated for pituitary adenoma in years 2009-2012. The comparison of day 7 (median) postoperative basal cortisol levels and 3.6 months (median) after pituitary adenoma surgery stimulation test - standard dose 250 microg 1-24ACTH test in 83 patients or ITT in 11 patients were performed. All 16 patients with early postoperative cortisol levels >500 nmol/l proved a sufficient response in the stimulation tests. At basal cortisol levels of 370-500 nmol/l the sufficient response was found in 96 % (27/28) of patients. In the postoperative basal cortisol levels 200-370 nmol/l we found a preserved corticotroph axis later on in 88 % (28/32) of cases. Patients with basal cortisol levels 100-200 nmol/l had a maintained corticotroph axis function in 8/11 cases - 73 %. All patients with an early postoperative basal cortisol level above 500 nmol/l proved in the stimulation tests a preserved corticotroph axis function. The interval 370-500 nmol/l showed a minimal risk of postoperative adrenal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Hána
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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El-Farhan N, Pickett A, Ducroq D, Bailey C, Mitchem K, Morgan N, Armston A, Jones L, Evans C, Rees DA. Method-specific serum cortisol responses to the adrenocorticotrophin test: comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and five automated immunoassays. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2013; 78:673-80. [PMID: 22994849 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The serum cortisol response to the adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) test is known to vary significantly by assay, but lower reference limits (LRL) for this response have not been established by the reference gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method or modern immunoassays. We aimed to compare the normal cortisol response to ACTH stimulation using GC-MS with five widely used immunoassays. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS An ACTH test (250 μg iv ACTH1-24 ) was undertaken in 165 healthy volunteers (age, 20-66 years; 105 women, 24 of whom were taking an oestrogen-containing oral contraceptive pill [OCP]). Serum cortisol was measured using GC-MS, Advia Centaur (Siemens), Architect (Abbott), Modular Analytics E170 (Roche), Immulite 2000 (Siemens) and Access (Beckman) automated immunoassays. The estimated LRL for the 30 min cortisol response to ACTH was derived from the 2·5th percentile of log-transformed concentrations. RESULTS The GC-MS-measured cortisol response was normally distributed in males but not females, with no significant gender difference in baseline or post-ACTH cortisol concentration. Immunoassays were positively biased relative to GC-MS, except in samples from women on the OCP, who showed a consistent negative bias. The LRL for cortisol was method-specific [GC-MS: 420 nm; Architect: 430 nm; Centaur: 446 nm; Access 459 nm; Immulite (2000) 474 nm] and, for the E170, also gender-specific (female: 524 nm; male 574 nm). A separate LRL is necessary for women on the OCP. CONCLUSIONS Normal cortisol responses to the ACTH test are influenced significantly by assay and oestrogen treatment. We recommend the use of separate reference limits in premenopausal women on the OCP and warn users that cortisol measurements in this subgroup are subject to assay interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia El-Farhan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
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Regan J, Watson J. Selective use of peri-operative steroids in pituitary tumor surgery: escape from dogma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:30. [PMID: 23508065 PMCID: PMC3600533 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Traditional neurosurgical practice calls for administration of peri-operative stress-dose steroids for sellar-suprasellar masses undergoing operative treatment. This practice is considered critical to prevent peri-operative complications associated with hypoadrenalism, such as hypotension and circulatory collapse. However, stress-dose steroids complicate the management of these patients. It has been our routine practice to use stress steroids during surgery only if the patient has clinical or biochemical evidence of hypocortisolism pre-operatively. We wanted to be certain that this practice was safe. METHODS We present our retrospective analysis from a consecutive series of 114 operations in 109 patients with sellar and/or suprasellar tumors, the majority of whom were managed without empirical stress-dose steroid coverage. Only patients who were hypoadrenal pre-operatively or who had suffered apoplexy were given stress-dose coverage during surgery. We screened for biochemical evidence of hypoadrenalism as a result of surgery by measuring immediate post-operative AM serum cortisol levels. RESULTS There were no adverse events related to the selective use of cortisol replacement in this patient population. CONCLUSION Our experience demonstrates that selective use of corticosteroid replacement is safe; it simplifies the management of the patients, and has advantages over empiric "dogmatic" steroid coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Regan
- Department of Neurosciences, Inova Health SystemsFalls Church, VA, USA
- *Correspondence: Jacqueline Regan, Department of Neurosciences, Inova Health Systems, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA. e-mail:
| | - Joseph Watson
- Department of Neurosciences, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFalls Church, VA, USA
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Arraez MA. Assessment of postoperative hypocortisolism after pituitary surgery: when and how? World Neurosurg 2012; 80:495-7. [PMID: 23111213 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2012.10.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Arraez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Carlos Haya University Hospital, Malaga, Spain.
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Joseph SP, Ho JT, Doogue MP, Burt MG. Perioperative management of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with pituitary adenomas: an Australasian survey. Intern Med J 2012; 42:1120-4. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02582.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Lodish M, Dunn SV, Sinaii N, Keil MF, Stratakis CA. Recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children and adolescents after surgical cure of Cushing's disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012; 97:1483-91. [PMID: 22399509 PMCID: PMC3339895 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2011-2325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for Cushing's disease (CD) in children has not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess time to recovery of the HPAA after TSS in children with CD. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a case series at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. PATIENTS Fifty-seven patients with CD (6-18 yr, mean 13.0 ± 3.1 yr) given a standard regimen of glucocorticoid tapering after TSS were studied out of a total of 73 recruited. INTERVENTIONS ACTH (250 μg) stimulation tests were administered at approximately 6-month intervals for up to 36 months. Age, sex, pubertal status, body mass index, length of disease, midnight cortisol, and urinary free cortisol at diagnosis were analyzed for effects on recovery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome measure was complete recovery of the HPAA as defined by a cortisol level of at least 18 μg/dl in response to 250 μg ACTH. RESULTS Full recovery was reached by 43 (75.4%) of 57 patients, with 29 of the 43 (67.4%) and 41 of the 43 (95.3%) recovering by 12 and 18 months, respectively. The overall mean time to recovery was 12.6 ± 3.3 months. Kaplan-Meier survivor function estimated a 50% chance of recovering by 12 months after TSS and 75% chance of recovering within 14 months. By receiver operating characteristic curve assessment, the cutoff of at least 10-11 μg/dl of cortisol as the peak of ACTH stimulation testing at 6 months after TSS yielded the highest sensitivity (70-80%) and specificity (64-73%) to predict full recovery of the HPAA at 12 months. Two of the four patients that recovered fully within 6 months had recurrent CD. CONCLUSIONS Although this is not a randomized study, we present our standardized tapering regimen for glucocorticoid replacement after TSS that led to recovery of the HPAA in most patients within the first postoperative year. Multiple factors may affect this process, but an early recovery may indicate disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Lodish
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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Forbes JA, Wilkerson J, Chambless L, Shay SD, Elswick CM, Abblitt PW, Adogwa O, Russell P, Weaver KD, Allen GS, Utz AL. Safety and cost effectiveness of early discharge following microscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary lesions. Surg Neurol Int 2011; 2:66. [PMID: 21697981 PMCID: PMC3115163 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.81723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inpatient hospitalization following trans-sphenoidal resection of a pituitary neoplasm has traditionally involved a hospital stay of 2 days or more. It has been the policy of the senior pituitary neurosurgeon (GSA) since February 2008 to allow discharge home on postoperative day (POD) 1 if thirst mechanism is intact and the patient is tolerating oral hydration. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of this practice. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 30 patients, designated the early discharge group, who consecutively underwent microscopic trans-sphenoidal resection from February 2008 to December 2009. We then reviewed the charts of 30 patients, designated the standard discharge group, who consecutively underwent trans-sphenoidal resection from May 2007 to February 2008 before discharge home on POD1 was considered an appropriate option. Safety and cost-effectiveness of the two patient groups were retrospectively evaluated. Results Patients in the early discharge group went home, on average, on POD 1.3. Following exclusion of two outliers, the average date of discharge of patients in the standard discharge group was POD 2.2. The policy of early discharge saved an average of $1,949 per patient-approximately 4% the total cost of the procedure. Trends toward decreased costs did not reach statistical significance. While no patient suffered any measurable morbidity as a result of early discharge home, 1 in 3 patients in the early discharge group required unscheduled postoperative re-evaluation-a figure significantly higher than the standard discharge group. Conclusions: At a dedicated pituitary center with the resources to closely monitor outpatient endocrinological and postsurgical issues, early discharge home following trans-sphenoidal surgery is a safe option that is associated with an increase in the number of unscheduled postoperative visits and a trend toward lower costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Forbes
- Department of Neurosurgery and Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Golden SH, Wand GS, Malhotra S, Kamel I, Horton K. Reliability of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis assessment methods for use in population-based studies. Eur J Epidemiol 2011; 26:511-25. [PMID: 21533585 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-011-9585-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Population-based studies have been hampered in exploring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity as a potential explanatory link between stress-related and metabolic disorders due to their lack of incorporation of reliable measures of chronic cortisol exposure. The purpose of this review is to summarize current literature on the reliability of HPA axis measures and to discuss the feasibility of performing them in population-based studies. We identified articles through PubMed using search terms related to cortisol, HPA axis, adrenal imaging, and reliability. The diurnal salivary cortisol curve (generated from multiple salivary samples from awakening to midnight) and 11 p.m. salivary cortisol had the highest between-visit reliabilities (r = 0.63-0.84 and 0.78, respectively). The cortisol awakening response and dexamethasone-suppressed cortisol had the next highest between-visit reliabilities (r = 0.33-0.67 and 0.42-0.66, respectively). Based on our own data, the inter-reader reliability (r(s)) of adrenal gland volume from non-contrast CT was 0.67-0.71 for the left and 0.47-0.70 for the right adrenal glands. While a single 8 a.m. salivary cortisol is one of the easiest measures to perform, it had the lowest between-visit reliability (R = 0.18-0.47). Based on the current literature, use of sampling multiple salivary cortisol measures across the diurnal curve (with awakening cortisol), dexamethasone-suppressed cortisol, and adrenal gland volume are measures of HPA axis tone with similar between-visit reliabilities which likely reflect chronic cortisol burden and are feasible to perform in population-based studies.
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Karaca Z, Tanriverdi F, Atmaca H, Gokce C, Elbuken G, Selcuklu A, Unluhizarci K, Kelestimur F. Can basal cortisol measurement be an alternative to the insulin tolerance test in the assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis before and after pituitary surgery? Eur J Endocrinol 2010; 163:377-82. [PMID: 20530552 DOI: 10.1530/eje-10-0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to evaluate the validity of preoperative basal serum cortisol levels measured in predicting preoperative adrenal insufficiency and also the validity of basal serum cortisol levels and early postoperative insulin tolerance test (ITT) in predicting postoperative adrenal insufficiency. METHODS The study was prospectively designed and included 64 patients who underwent pituitary surgery for conditions other than Cushing's disease. An ITT was performed preoperatively, on the 6th postoperative day and at the 1st postoperative month. Basal serum cortisol levels were measured on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th postoperative days. RESULTS Patients with a preoperative basal cortisol level of <165 nmol/l (6 microg/dl) showed insufficient cortisol response and those with levels higher than 500 nmol/l (18 microg/dl) had sufficient cortisol response to the preoperative ITT. The positive predictive value of the ITT performed on the 6th postoperative day was 69.7%, and the negative predictive value in predicting adrenal insufficiency at the 1st postoperative month was 58%. Patients were considered to have an insufficient cortisol response to ITT at the 1st postoperative month if their basal cortisol levels were <193 nmol/l (7 microg/dl) or 220 nmol/l (8 microg/dl) or 193 nmol/l (7 microg/dl) or 165 nmol/l (6 microg/dl) or 83 nmol/l (3 microg/dl) on the 2nd-6th postoperative days respectively. CONCLUSION Serum basal cortisol levels may be used as the first-line test in the assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis both preoperatively and postoperatively. Dynamic testing should be limited to the patients with indeterminate basal cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Karaca
- Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University Medical School, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
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Petersenn S, Quabbe HJ, Schöfl C, Stalla GK, von Werder K, Buchfelder M. The rational use of pituitary stimulation tests. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2010; 107:437-43. [PMID: 20644702 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2010.0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2008] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diseases of the pituitary gland can lead to the dysfunction of individual hormonal axes and to the corresponding clinical manifestations. The diagnostic assessment of pituitary function has not yet been standardized. METHODS The members of the Neuroendocrinology Section and the Pituitary Study Group of the German Society for Endocrinology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Endokrinologie) prepared outlines of diagnostic methods for the evaluation of each of the pituitary hormonal axes. These outlines were discussed in open session in recent annual meetings of the Section and the Study Group. RESULTS For the evaluation of the thyrotropic axis, basal TSH and free T4 usually suffice. For the evaluation of the gonadotropic axis in men, the testosterone level should be measured; if the overall testosterone level is near normal, then calculating the free testosterone level may be additionally useful. In women, an intact menstrual cycle is sufficient proof of normal function. In the absence of regular menstruation, measurement of the basal estradiol and gonadotropin levels aids in the diagnosis of the disturbance. For the evaluation of the adrenocorticotropic axis, the basal cortisol level may be helpful; provocative testing is in many cases necessary for precise characterization. The evaluation of the somato-tropic axis requires provocative testing. Aside from the insulin tolerance test, the GHRH-arginine test has become well established. Reference ranges normed to the body mass index (BMI) are available. CONCLUSION The diagnostic evaluation of pituitary insufficiency should proceed in stepwise fashion, depending on the patient's clinical manifestations and underlying disease. For some pituitary axes, measurement of basal hormone levels suffices; for others, stimulation tests are required. In general, the performance of combined pituitary tests should be viewed with caution.
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Roug S, Rasmussen AK, Juhler M, Kosteljanetz M, Poulsgaard L, Heebøll H, Roed H, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with acromegaly: an interim single-centre audit. Eur J Endocrinol 2010; 162:685-94. [PMID: 20133445 DOI: 10.1530/eje-09-1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the effect of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) in acromegaly in a retrospective analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients (17 females, median 43 years (range 30-74)) with acromegaly were treated with FSRT (conformal dynamic arcing, dose 54 Gy, 27-30 fractions) between January 1998 and April 2007. Of the 34 patients, 32 had undergone transsphenoidal adenotomy, and 28 were on medical therapy before FSRT. Patients on medical therapy continued this during and after the irradiation. The treatment was gradually decreased/withdrawn after careful assessment. RESULTS Magnetic resonance scanning of the pituitary gland 34 months (median, range 11-95) after irradiation showed stable or reduced volume of the remaining tumour tissue in 31 of 34 patients (91%). Seventeen patients (50%) were biochemically controlled (normalised nadir GH during oral glucose tolerance test and IGF1 <+2 S.D.) 30 months after FSRT (median, range 6-60), and ten of them had true biochemical remission (off medical therapy) 30 months after FSRT (median, range 12-69). Of 28 patients with one or more functioning pituitary axes before irradiation, 8 (29%) developed further deficit of one or two pituitary axes 48 months (median, range 6-102) after FSRT. Of 34 patients, 20 still required medical treatment for acromegaly at the end of this study, mainly those with a short follow-up period after irradiation. CONCLUSION The FSRT seems promising in terms of treatment of acromegaly. Longer follow-up is, however, needed to assess the overall efficacy and safety of FSRT for acromegaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Roug
- Departments of Medical Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, National University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Chatha KK, Middle JG, Kilpatrick ES. National UK audit of the Short Synacthen® Test. Ann Clin Biochem 2010; 47:158-64. [DOI: 10.1258/acb.2009.009209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We present the first national audit of the Short Synacthen Test (SST), identifying the clinical, analytical and interpretative procedures adopted by 89 laboratories. Background The SST has replaced the insulin stress test as the first-line test to assess adrenal insufficiency and has received considerable attention regarding its sensitivity and specificity. Concerns regarding this test include the bias of cortisol methods, cut-off values used, contraindications and the limitations of the test in diagnosing recent, mild secondary adrenal insufficiency. The audit took into consideration the protocols used by laboratories, the advice provided prior and after the SST and the analytical bias of the methods used. Methods A web-based questionnaire using Microsoft FrontPageTM was prepared to collect data from laboratories and provided drop-down lists and other form-field elements to capture additional comments. The resultant data were exported to Microsoft ExcelTM for data clean-up and analysis. Results The workloads were highly variable; however, most laboratories were in general agreement to the indications, contraindications, timing and reference ranges. In contrast, there was variability in the bias of the cortisol methods, which had not been translated to the cut-off values used by the majority of laboratories. Conclusions The audit has shown that though the preanalytical procedures were similar in most laboratories, there is a requirement to recognize the effect that method bias may have on the reference ranges and consequently on the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. There is a need to develop consensus guidelines, which can aid both clinicians and laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaljit K Chatha
- Biochemistry Department, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Jonathan G Middle
- NEQAS, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Quality, Birmingham, BI5 2UE
| | - Eric S Kilpatrick
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hull Royal Infirmary, Chair ACB National Audit Group, Hull, HU3 ZJ3, UK
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Wallace I, Cunningham S, Lindsay J. The diagnosis and investigation of adrenal insufficiency in adults. Ann Clin Biochem 2009; 46:351-67. [PMID: 19675057 DOI: 10.1258/acb.2009.009101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable variation in the methods used to diagnose and investigate adrenal insufficiency in clinical practice. These include a range of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation and other dynamic testing protocols, serum cortisol cut-off values for diagnosis and tests used for differential diagnosis. With the introduction of modern cortisol and ACTH assays, the interpretation of tests used for diagnosis and differential diagnosis has become more complex and requires local validation. This review examines the basis of normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and adrenal insufficiency states based upon an evidence base accumulated over the past four decades. The role of the laboratory in the differential diagnosis and interpretation based upon assay methodology is discussed. The accurate identification of patients who may benefit from corticosteroid replacement in special settings such as critical illness is challenging and will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Wallace
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Western Health & Social Care Trust, Glenshane Road, Londonderry BT476SB, UK
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Cozzi R, Lasio G, Cardia A, Felisati G, Montini M, Attanasio R. Perioperative cortisol can predict hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal status in clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas. J Endocrinol Invest 2009; 32:460-4. [PMID: 19494715 DOI: 10.1007/bf03346486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peri-operative steroids are administered routinely to patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). AIM To evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis before and after programmed endoscopic TSA (E-TSA) in patients with clinically non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFPA). DESIGN Open prospective. SETTING Tertiary referral hospitals. PATIENTS Seventy-two consecutive patients (20-87 yr, 37 males). INTERVENTIONS Adrenal steroid replacement therapy (ASRT) was given only in patients with hypocortisolism [08:00 h cortisol (F) <8 microg/dl]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS After ETSA, achieving wide (>90%) selective resection of the adenoma in all, F and clinical picture were checked at day 2. The low-dose (1 microg) ACTH test (LDACTH) was performed at 6 weeks and repeated at 12 months. RESULTS Hypocortisolism was present pre-operatively in 14 patients (19.4%), persisted post-operatively in all but one, and was detected de novo at the post-operative day 2 control in 6 (10.3%). In all but one the post-operative day 2 basal F and peak F during LDACTH test were concordant. No patient whose F was > 8 microg/dl was treated with ASRT or developed symptoms of adrenal failure during the follow-up (1-11 yr, median 5). CONCLUSIONS HPA function is usually preserved in NFPA and is infrequently impaired after complete tumor removal by E-TSA. The 08:00 h. plasma cortisol evaluation before and 2 days after surgery, using as cut-off the value of 8 microg/dl, allows full evaluation of HPA status. Peri-operative steroid treatment should be given only in patients with hypocortisolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Cozzi
- Division of Endocrinology, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Deutschbein T, Unger N, Mann K, Petersenn S. Diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease: comparison between serum and salivary cortisol during the high-dose short synacthen test. Eur J Endocrinol 2009; 160:9-16. [PMID: 18952762 DOI: 10.1530/eje-08-0600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accurate assessment of adrenal function is essential in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) disease. The measurement of salivary cortisol (SaC) instead of serum cortisol (SeC) offers several advantages, such as the determination of the free hormone. We evaluated the diagnostic value of SeC and SaC both unstimulated and during a high-dose short synacthen test (HDT) in comparison to the insulin tolerance test (ITT). DESIGN Comparative study between 2005 and 2007. METHODS Fifty-five patients with HPA impairment and 21 healthy controls were enrolled. Samples were collected in the early morning and over 120 min during the HDT. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed individual thresholds for four HDT periods (0-30, 0-60, 0-90, and 0-120 min). RESULTS The ITT identified 30 subjects as adrenal insufficient. With respect to the four HDT periods, sensitivity and specificity were 67-79% and 71-88% for SeC, compared with 63-72% and 72-86% for SaC. If upper and lower thresholds (with specificities >95%) were applied, patients were diagnosed in 40-45% by SeC and in 25-31% by SaC. The combination of basal cortisol and HDT allowed a diagnosis in 47-49% (SeC) and in 42-45% (SaC) respectively. CONCLUSION We suggest the determination of basal SeC or SaC as first-line test. In comparison to the ITT, the HDT has only limited value in screening for alterations of the HPA axis. If the HDT is performed, sampling may be limited to 30 min post-synacthen, using either SeC or SaC. Due to the ease of collection and the independence of binding proteins, SaC may be preferable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Deutschbein
- Department of Endocrinology and Division of Laboratory Research, Medical Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Ronchi CL, Ferrante E, Rizzo E, Giavoli C, Verrua E, Bergamaschi S, Lania AG, Beck-Peccoz P, Spada A. Long-term basal and dynamic evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in acromegalic patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008; 69:608-12. [PMID: 18410544 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2008.03270.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Long-term effects of trans-naso-sphenoidal surgery (TNS) or long-acting somatostatin analogs (SSA) on the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been poorly investigated. Aim of this study was to evaluate HPA axis integrity during the follow-up in patients with GH-secreting pituitary adenomas and preserved HPA function post-TNS or prior SSA. DESIGN AND PATIENTS This retrospective study investigated 36 acromegalic patients (16M and 20F, age: 47 +/- 13 years), 20 of whom cured by TNS and 16 controlled by SSA therapy (12 previously operated and 4 in primary medical therapy), before and after long-term follow-up (median: 72 months, range: 12-240). No patient previously underwent radiotherapy. MEASUREMENTS HPA function was studied by morning circulating cortisol and ACTH levels, 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC) and cortisol response to low-dose short Synacthen test (LDSST, 1 microg) with a peak > 500 nmol/l as cut-off for normal function. RESULTS Serum basal cortisol, ACTH and UFC levels were in the normal range and did not significantly change over time. As far as the cortisol peak after LDSST is concerned, 12 patients (32%, 8 TNS and 4 SSA) developed biochemical hypoadrenalism. None of the patients in primary medical therapy showed cortisol peak < 500 nmol/l. No significant correlations between HPA axis deterioration and follow-up duration, serum GH/IGF-I levels, occurrence of other pituitary deficiencies, presence of secondary empty sella, changes in tumour or residual volume were observed. CONCLUSIONS The HPA axis function must be carefully monitored over the time by dynamic testing in all acromegalic patients, independently from the type of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Ronchi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Milan, Endocrinology, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
While most transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is accomplished without complication, monitoring is required postoperatively for a set of disorders that are specific to this surgery. Postoperative assessments are tailored to the early and later postoperative periods. In the early period, which spans the first few weeks after surgery, both monitoring of anterior and posterior pituitary function and managing neurosurgical issues are the focus of care. Potential disruption of pituitary-adrenal function is covered with perioperative glucocorticoids. Various strategies exist for ensuring the integrity of this axis, but typically this is done by measuring a morning cortisol on the 2nd or 3rd postoperative days. Patients with levels <10 microg/l should continue therapy with reassessment in the later postoperative period. Monitoring for water imbalances, which are due to deficiency or excess of ADH (DI or SIADH, respectively), is accomplished by continuous accounting of fluid intake, urine output and specific gravities coupled with daily serum electrolyte measurements. DI is characterized by excess volumes of inappropriately dilute urine, which can lead to hypernatremia. Most patients maintain adequate fluid intake and euvolemia, but desmopressin therapy is required for some. SIADH, which peaks in incidence on 7th postoperative day, presents with hyponatremia that can be severe and symptomatic. Management consists of fluid restriction. Neurosurgical monitoring is primarily for disturbances in vision or neurological function, and although uncommon, for CSF leak and infections such as meningitis. In the later postoperative period, the adrenal, thyroid and gonadal axes are assessed. New persistent hypopituitarism is rare when transsphenoidal surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon. Various strategies are available for assessing each axis and for providing replacement therapy in patients with deficiencies. Long term monitoring with assessments of visual, neurological and pituitary function coupled with pituitary imaging is necessary for all patients who have undergone surgery, irrespective of the hormone status of their tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Ausiello
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Abstract
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy and transsphenoidal pituitary surgery are currently established as the surgical procedures of choice with a low complication rate. Beyond potential surgical complications, one has to consider endocrine sequelae such as adrenal insufficiency and hypopituitarism. Without adequate endocrine treatment patients are prone to develop potentially lethal complications such as Addisonian crises or pituitary coma. Therefore, all patients should be seen by an endocrinologist before and after surgery. Patients with bilateral adrenalectomy require lifelong substitution of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Cushing's syndrome patients with unilateral adrenalectomy need temporary substitution. After pituitary surgery, all patients require functional assessment of their pituitary function, and, if necessary, adequate replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Flohr
- Abt. Innere Medizin II, Schwerpunkt Endokrinologie und Diabetologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Abstract
This clinical review summarizes current approaches to diagnosis and treatment of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency. The diagnostic value of endocrine function tests and replacement strategies for hydrocortisone, thyroxine, sex steroids, and growth hormone replacement are reviewed. Female androgen deficiency syndrome and the current role of DHEA and testosterone replacement in women are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph J Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Standort Grosshadern, Marchioninistr. 15, Munich 81377, Germany.
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