Nicholas Maartens | PubMed Health

PubMed2003

Gliadel for pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a protocol for a clinical trial of postresection implantation of Gliadel wafers in patients with aggressive, relentlessly recurring pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas. METHODS: Ten patients, nine with pituitary adenomas and one with a craniopharyngioma, underwent implantation of from two to eight Gliadel wafers. RESULTS: No obvious adverse reactions occurred. Death as a result of disease progression occurred in two patients with malignant adenomas. One patient died as a result of a stroke after undergoing five surgical procedures and prior radiotherapy. The seven living patients have been followed for 5 to 27 months (mean follow-up, 19 mo). Four patients have been free of recurrent or residual tumor, two have stable residual disease, and one has experienced tumor progression. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest a role for Gliadel implantation in patients with recurring aggressive pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2002

Pituitary surgery: transsphenoidal approach.

THE TRANSSPHENOIDAL APPROACH for sellar tumors has evolved significantly since it was described initially during the first decade of the 20th century. The approach currently incorporates technological advancements and refinements in patient selection, operative technique, and postoperative care. Although many of these innovations are considered indispensable, the operative technique, as performed by contemporary neurosurgeons, is not standardized. This variability is a reflection of surgeon's preference, the lessons of experience, and the bias inherent in neurosurgical training. The methods and preferences described herein embody the distillation of an experience gained from 3900 transsphenoidal operations.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea↗