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Abstract

Surgical management of giant pituitary adenomas possess challenges due to presence of optic nerves, internal carotid arteries and hypothalamus in and around seller and para seller region. The extent of tumor resection governs the efficacy of surgical treatment. However surgical extent of resection depends on para seller extension, multiple compartmental extension, and relation with displaced and distorted neurovascular structures. However, phenomenon of extra diaphragmatic extension of giant pituitary adenoma as multiple nubbing of pituitary adenoma into subarachnoid space is extremely uncommon. To the best knowledge of authors current case represents first case in the western literature. In such situation, attempting microscopic transsphenoidal surgical approach may prove much hazardous but endoscopic surgery can offer best option. Authors discuss importance of extra diaphragmatic extension and possible role of various surgical modality and endoscopic surgery and pertinent literature is reviewed briefly as awareness of such pathology is very important for every emergency care physician, critical care team including neurosurgeons and, radiologist and allied team to make a sound management strategy.

key words

giant pituitary adenoma, extra-diaphragmatic extension, MRI, surgical risk, awareness

Introduction

Pituitary adenomas account for about 10 to 15% of all intracranial tumors and characteristically presents with endocrinological dysfunctions including either hypopituitarism or functional hormonal secreting [1,2]. Along with visual disturbances and mass effect on surrounding neurovascular structure [3]. This giant pituitary adenoma usually requires multimodality treatment, but usual first modality of definitive treatment remains surgical extirpation, followed by radiosurgery for residual pituitary adenoma or repeat surgical intervention. The usual surgical approaches for these lesions are either the transsphenoidal or transcranial approach [2-4].

Extra diaphragmatic extension of giant pituitary adenoma as multiple nubbing of pituitary adenoma into subarachnoid space is extremely uncommon. The multiple nubbing of suprasellar extension is caused due to incompetency of diaphragm selle around the pituitary stalk, through which, adenoma extending into subarachnoid plane and further causes encasement of optic nerve, chiasma and vessels. In such situation, attempting transsphenoidal approach may prove much hazardous. Awareness of such pathology is very important for every neurosurgeons and allied team [3–5].

Case illustration

A-58-year non-diabetic, non-hypertensive male presented with history of three episodes of left sided focal motor seizure with secondary generalization over the last three months. On examination, vitals were stable with no phenotypic marker of endocrinopathy were present. Neurological examination revealed visual acuity of 6/18 on both sides with bitemporal hemianopia. Routine hemogram, biochemistry and hormonal levels were within normal limits. MRI brain revealed presence of a giant pituitary adenoma with presence of multiple nubbins, which were extending into extra diaphragmatic subarachnoid space (Figures 1 and 2). He underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal decompression of pituitary adenoma. During surgery direct visualization under endoscopic assistance to excision of giant pituitary adenoma along with extra diaphragmatic extension into subarachnoid spaces led to complete excision. In the post-operative period, had episodes of diabetes insipidus managed with vasopressin nasal spray. He was discharged from hospital on tenth post-operative day.

Figure 1. Magnetic resonance imaging, sagittal section, T1 weighted images showing giant pituitary adenoma with presence of multiple nubbins on superior surface representing extra diaphragmatic subarachnoid extension.

Figure 2. Cranial Magnetic resonance imaging, coronal section, T2 weighted images showing multiple subarachnoid nubbins with extra diaphragmatic subarachnoid extension in a ca se of giant pituitary adenoma.

Discussion

Pituitary adenomas with a diameter larger than 4 cm in sizes, or multicompartmental or extending up to floor of third ventricle is generally assigned as giant pituitary adenomas. It accounts for about 5% of the pituitary adenomas. Giant pituitary adenoma can present presents with progressive visual deterioration, endocrinological dysfunctions, focal neurological deficit or features of raised intracranial pressure. Detailed hormonal workup along with assessment of co-morbidity is essential prior to planning of surgical management [1–3]. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered as gold standard method for diagnoses, as it delineates, epicenter, extent, parasellar involvement, sub-frontal or extension into middle cranial fossa and relation of carotid vessels and cavernous sinus and associated obstructive hydrocephalus and any previous or present episode of pituitary apoplexy. MRI also detects presence of extra diaphragmatic extension into subarachnoid space as multiple nubbing of pituitary adenoma. The multiple nubbing of suprasellar extension is caused due to incompetency of diaphragm sella around the pituitary stalk, through which, adenoma extending into subarachnoid plane and further causes encasement of optic nerve, chiasma and carotid anterior cerebral arteries. In such situation, attempting transsphenoidal approach may prove much hazardous. Awareness of such pathology is very important for proper management [2,3]. These giant pituitary adenomas usually require multimodality treatment, but usual first modality of definitive treatment remains surgical extirpation. The rate of gross and near-total tumor removal after transsphenoidal, transcranial, or combined procedures ranges from 14.7% to 74% in cases of giant pituitary adenomas, according to previously published reports [4–6]. The transsphenoidal approach is considered as preferred surgical modality for the surgical excision of most of the pituitary adenomas, as compared with transcranial routes [5]. Usually endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery represents the gold standard treatment for even giant pituitary adenoma in experienced hand, however, such cases with extra diaphragmatic subarachnoid extension are more suitable for transcranial surgery as surgical decompression is carried out under vision with relatively better chances of preservation of optic nerves, chiasma, and vessel, although transcranial approach carry its own disadvantages. The multiple nubbing of suprasellar extension of pituitary adenoma in our patient is caused due to the diaphragm sella becoming compromised around the pituitary stalk and adenoma extending into subarachnoid plane and encasing around optic chiasma and internal carotid artery and anterior cerebral artery and other branches, making transsphenoidal approach much more hazardous [6]. The role of radiation therapy or radiotherapies in preventing the late recurrence or control the residual tumor which was impossible to remove by surgery especially in the cavernous sinus invasion is important [5].

Conclusion

Majority of giant pituitary adenoma can be managed with proper derailed hormonal assay, visual acuity and field charting and neuroimaging including magnetic resonance imaging study. However, every health care tram should be aware of possibility of presence of extra diaphragmatic extension into subarachnoid space as multiple nubbing of pituitary adenoma. The suprasellar extension into subarachnoid space as nubbins is caused by incompetency of diaphragm sella, which typically closely cover around the pituitary stalk, and causes encasement of optic nerve, chiasma and carotid anterior cerebral arteries.

References

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4. Satyarthee GD, Mahapatra AK (2002) Seizure as presentation of pituitary adenomas; series of four cases. Neurosciences Today 6: 167-169.
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