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Objective: To analyze and find risk factors associated with developing transient diabetes insipidus (DI) using a multicenter case series after trans-sphenoidal surgery., Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma resection between 2010 and 2021 at 3 different neurosurgical centers by 4 experienced neurosurgeons were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups (DI group or control group). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with postoperative DI. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify variables of interest. Covariates with a P value <0.05 were incorporated into multivariate logistic regression models to identify independently associated risk factors for DI. All statistical tests were conducted using RStudio., Results: A total of 344 patients were included; 68% were women, the mean age was 46.5 years, and nonfunctioning adenomas were the most frequent (171, 49.7%). The mean tumor size was 20.3 mm. Covariates associated with postoperative DI were age, female gender, and gross total resection. The multivariable model showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, CI 0.95-0.99, P = 0.017) and female gender (OR 2.92, CI 1.50-6.03, P = 0.002) remained significant predictors of DI development. Gross total resection was no longer a significant predictor of DI in the multivariable model (OR 1.86, CI 0.99-3.71, P = 0.063), suggesting that this variable may be confounded by other factors., Conclusions: The independent risk factors for the development of transient DI were female and young patients., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a common complication after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenoma (PA), which affects the quality of life in patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop prediction models of postoperative DI specifically for patients who undergo endoscopic TSS. This study establishes and validates prediction models of DI after endoscopic TSS for patients with PA using machine learning algorithms., Methods: We retrospectively collected information about patients with PA who underwent endoscopic TSS in otorhinolaryngology and neurosurgery departments between January 2018 and December 2020. The patients were randomly split into a training set (70%) and a test set (30%). The 4 machine learning algorithms (logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, and decision tree) were used to establish the prediction models. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to compare the performance of the models., Results: A total of 232 patients were included, and 78 patients (33.6%) developed transient DI after surgery. Data were randomly divided into a training set (n = 162) and a test set (n = 70) for development and validation of the model, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was highest in the random forest model (0.815) and lowest in the logistic regression model (0.601). Invasion of pituitary stalk was the most important feature for model performance, closely followed by macroadenomas, size classification of PA, tumor texture, and Hardy-Wilson suprasellar grade., Conclusions: Machine learning algorithms identify preoperative features of importance and reliably predict DI after endoscopic TSS for patients with PA. Such a prediction model may enable clinicians to develop individualized treatment strategy and follow-up management., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is the most common complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for craniopharyngioma. However, some cases of CDI could spontaneously resolve during the follow-up period. Hence, this study aimed to determine the predictive factors for the spontaneous resolution of CDI., Methods: Data of patients with CDI who underwent EES for craniopharyngioma between February 2009 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were divided into 2 groups based on the resolution of CDI during follow-up: the recovery and no recovery groups. The baseline characteristic, surgical, and follow-up results of patients were compared., Results: We identified 84 patients with CDI (35 in the recovery group and 49 in the no recovery group). A direct comparison showed that retaining the pituitary stalk (57.1% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.000) and no-hypothalamic injury (HI) (68.6% vs. 20.4%, P = 0.000) were more common in the recovery group, whereas hydrocephalus at diagnosis (8.6% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.000) was significantly more common in the no recovery group. Subsequently, we found through univariate and multivariate analysis that the spontaneous resolution of CDI was associated with hydrocephalus at diagnosis (yes vs. no: odds ratio [OR], 0.198; P = 0.045), pituitary stalk injury (retaining vs. sectioning: OR, 7.055; P = 0.004), and the Hong et al HI pattern (mild-HI vs. no-HI: OR, 0.183; P = 0.038; unilateral-HI vs. no-HI: OR, 0.147; P = 0.017; bilateral-HI vs. no-HI: OR, 0.154; P = 0.044)., Conclusions: Hydrocephalus at diagnosis, pituitary stalk injury, and the Hong et al HI pattern might be predictors of the spontaneous resolution of CDI following EES for craniopharyngioma., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: We implemented a streamlined care pathway for patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal (TSA) pituitary surgery. Select patients are recovered in the postanesthesia care unit and transferred to a step-down unit for intermediate neurologic care (INCU), with clinicians trained to manage cerebrospinal fluid leak, diabetes insipidus (DI), and other complications., Methods: We evaluated all TSA surgeries performed at 1 academic medical center from 7 th January, 2017 to 30 th March, 2020, collecting patient factors, tumor characteristics, cost variables, and outcomes. The INCU pathway was implemented on 7 th January 2018. Pathway patients were compared with nonpathway patients across the study period. Outcomes were assessed using multivariate regression, adjusting for patient and surgical characteristics, including intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative DI, and tumor dimensions., Results: One hundred eighty-seven patients were identified. Seventy-nine were on the INCU pathway. Mean age was 53.5 years. Most patients were male (66%), privately insured (62%), and white (66%). Mean total cost of admission was $27,276. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 3.97 days. Use of the INCU pathway was associated with total cost reduction of $6376.33 (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: $3698.21-$9054.45) and LOS reduction by 1.27 days (P = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.33-2.20). In-hospital costs were reduced across all domains, including $1964.87 in variable direct labor costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $1142.08-$2787.64) and $1206.52 in variable direct supply costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $762.54-$1650.51). Pathway patients were discharged earlier despite a higher rate of postoperative DI (25% vs. 11%, P = 0.011), with fewer readmissions (0% vs. 6%, P = 0.021)., Conclusions: A streamlined care pathway following TSA surgery can reduce in-hospital costs and LOS without compromising patient outcomes., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare idiopathic disease characterized by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans histiocytes in various parts of the body and capable of leading to organ damage and tumor formation. Reports of cranial LCH in the adult population are extremely rare. Although surgery remains the preferred option for localized LCH lesions, the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is emerging., Objective: To retrospectively review a rare case series to determine the safety and effectiveness of SRS for patients with localized cranial LCH., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed histopathologically confirmed cases of localized cranial LCH treated with SRS at our institute in the adult population between January 2005 and September 2022. Five patients were identified with a median age of 34 years (19-54 years). The tumor location was in the pituitary stalk in 3 patients, the orbit in one patient, and the parietal skull in one patient. The median target volume was 2.8 cc (range: 0.37-6.11). Treatment was delivered in a single fraction in 4 patients (median margin dose of 8 Gy, range: 7-10 Gy) and in 3 fractions (22.5 Gy) in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 12 years (range: 4-17). None of the patients required craniotomy for tumor debulking before or after SRS., Results: The local tumor control rate for the lesions was 100%. All 3 patients with LCH in the pituitary stalk had diabetes insipidus at the initial presentation and developed panhypopituitarism after SRS. Diabetes insipidus was not improved after SRS. The other 2 patients presented no adverse radiation effects. Based on the literature review, our case series was the largest retrospective series on SRS for localized cranial LCH, with the longest median follow-up., Conclusions: SRS for patients with localized cranial LCH was a safe and effective treatment modality in this case series. Larger studies are encouraged to validate the role of SRS in the treatment of localized cranial LCH., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a well-known complication of transsphenoidal surgery. However, the risk factors for DI remain controversial., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma at our institution during a 5-year period. The patients were divided into a DI group and a non-DI group. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for postoperative DI. In subgroup analysis, the DI group was divided into transient DI and permanent DI groups, and perioperative factors were compared between groups., Results: Of 101 patients, 58 were in the non-DI group (57.4%) and 43 were in the DI group (42.6%). Permanent DI occurred in 7 patients (6.9%). In univariate analyses, statistically significant risk factors were suprasellar extension, tumor functionality, and intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks by Esposito grade. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Esposito grade was the only statistically significant risk factor (P = 0.015). The frequency of DI increased as the Esposito grade increased (P = 0.0002 for the trend). In subgroup analysis, postoperative nadir sodium concentration was lower in the permanent DI group (128.1 ± 2.78 mmol/L) than in the transient DI group (135 ± 1.22 mmol/L; P = 0.035), and the optimal cutoff value was 124.5 mmol/L, with a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 91.7% (area under the curve = 0.76, P = 0.034)., Conclusions: Intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak by Esposito grade is associated with postoperative DI. These data can be applied to help identify high-risk patients who need more aggressive follow-up and fluid management., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the preservation of hypothalamic function using the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) in a single-center clinical series of patients with hypothalamus-invaded craniopharyngioma (CP) and compare this series with reported cases by the open transcranial approach (TCA)., Methods: A retrospective review of hypothalamus-invaded CP surgical cases treated with EEA was performed. Hypothalamic damage was evaluated in terms of the body mass index (BMI), endocrine status, and quality of life before and after surgery. A review of the available literature reporting the use of EEA and TCA over the last decade was performed for comparison., Results: In total, 63 cases amenable to EEA were investigated. The elevation in BMI was substantial and an increase in BMI greater than 9% was observed in 22 patients (34.92%). Most patients exhibited a BMI gain >9% within 3 months postoperatively. A total of 16 of the 19 patients who had normal anterior pituitary function preoperatively worsened after surgery. Of the 27 cases reporting preoperative partial hypopituitarism, 16 cases worsened postoperatively and 11 cases remained unchanged. All 9 cases with preoperative panhypopituitarism remained unchanged postoperatively. A total of 40 new cases developed diabetes insipidus, and 3 of the 10 patients with preoperative diabetes insipidus exhibited resolved at the latest follow-up. The quality of life showed no significant difference., Conclusions: EEA can achieve greater gross total resection than TCA when performed by an experienced surgeon. Combined with the reduced postoperative hypothalamic damage in our patients with only hypothalamus-invaded CP, especially the shortened time horizons of hypothalamic obesity development and reduced percentage of patients with obesity, the EEA technique should be a preferred alternative over TCA., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pituitary stalk sectioning is only essential in cases of craniopharyngioma originating from the stalk or metastatic tumor to the stalk. Some patients can discontinue postoperative antidiuretic hormone (ADH) supplementation with special conditions., Methods: Sixty-three patients with craniopharyngiomas who were treated by surgery with pituitary stalk sectioning were included in this study. Great care was taken to preserve the fine arteries running along the lateral walls of the third ventricle. Removal rates, change of endocrinologic status, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were investigated., Results: Total removal was achieved in 52 of 54 patients in initial surgery (96.3%), and in 5 of 9 patients in retreatment (55.6%). ADH supplementation was required in all patients from the day of surgery, but was discontinued in 29 of 54 patients among the initial surgery group (53.7%) and in 2 of 9 patients among the retreatment group (22.2%). Preservation of thyroid hormone secretion was observed in 24 of 31 patients who could discontinue ADH (77.4%), but only in 12 of 32 patients who could not discontinue ADH (37.5%). Recovery from diabetes insipidus (DI) was significantly associated with preservation of thyroid function (P < 0.01). Postoperative MRI showed that part of the hypothalamus was enhanced in patients with recovery from DI., Conclusions: Total removal was achieved in 91% of all cases. Half of the patients could discontinue ADH supplementation, which was associated with preservation of thyroid function. The findings of hypothalamic enhancement on postoperative MRI may be associated with recovery from DI., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Lymphocytic hypophysitis (LYH) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland. In this study, we aim to characterize LYH at presentation and focus on the management and prognosis of LYH., Methods: A retrospective study of patients with LYH was conducted between 2011 and 2018 at a single institute. The patients were included by pathologic conformation and strict exclusion criteria. Clinical profile, imaging, and management data were collected., Results: Twenty patients with LYH (16 women and 4 men) were included. Ten patients were diagnosed histologically and the remaining 10 patients were confirmed clinically of exclusion criteria. The median age at diagnosis was 37 years (range, 16-58 years). Presenting symptoms were followed by polyuria/polydipsia (11, 55%), vision changes (10, 50%), headache (8, 40%), menstrual irregularities and amenorrhea (4, 20%), diplopia (1, 5%), or sexual dysfunction (1, 5%). Eight patients had partial anterior pituitary hormone dysfunction. The thyroid-stimulating hormone axis was most involved. Ten patients received transsphenoidal surgery, 5 patients experienced steroid pulse therapy, and observation was performed on 5 patients. Only 5 patients (25%) showed improvement of anterior pituitary dysfunction after initial management. Recovery of diabetes insipidus occurred in 2 patients (18%). The overall recurrence rate was 22.2%., Conclusions: Nonoperative treatment is a better option for most patients with LYH because it is effective and noninvasive. Surgery is recommended for definitive diagnosis, severe or rapid progression of neurologic impairment, and glucocorticoid insensitivity. Periodic follow-up is mandatory in a patient's long-term management., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a major complication of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). DI usually occurs within a couple of days after TSS. Delayed occurrence of postoperative DI is rarely observed and its developing mechanisms remain unknown., Methods: Six patients were identified as having postoperative delayed DI, which was defined as DI that first occurred 2 or more weeks after TSS. They consisted of 1 male and 5 females, and their mean age was 38.3 years (range, 10-76 years). Five patients were histologically diagnosed with Rathke cleft cyst (RCC), and one had RCC coexisting with prolactin-secreting adenoma. Sequential T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated for hyperintensity (HI) in the pituitary stalk and the posterior lobe, indicating the location of antidiuretic hormone., Results: No patients had any DI before TSS. Delayed DI occurred 2 weeks to 3 months after TSS and persisted for 2 weeks to 5 months. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed that the HI in the posterior lobe became faint but did not disappear after DI occurrence, and their intensities increased with recovery from DI. In contrast, the HI in the pituitary stalk was found faintly preoperatively and turned clear postoperatively and decreased with recovery from DI. The morphologic patterns were dependent on DI duration., Conclusions: In the delayed occurrence of DI, it was suggested that preoperative antidiuretic hormone transport was mildly congested yet not completely blocked when DI manifested postoperatively. Gradual spreading of inflammation to the infundibulum after RCC removal was considered as 1 possible mechanism of this delayed DI development., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Xanthomatous hypophysitis (XH) is extremely rare. Only 27 cases have been reported in the literature. No XH patient presenting with diabetes insipidus (DI) has been completely cured through surgery. Here, we describe the first XH case of a DI patient whose pituitary function was normalized postoperatively, without hormone replacement therapy., Case Description: A 41-year-old woman suffered from polydipsia, DI, headache, and breast discharge. Laboratory investigation revealed hyperprolactinemia. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed a 2.0-cm × 1.4-cm × 1.6-cm lesion that demonstrated heterogeneous intensity on T1-weighted imaging and peripheral ring enhancement following contrast; the lesion was totally removed through transsphenoidal surgery. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed the diagnosis of XH. At the 4- and 15-month follow-up visits, all pituitary-related hormones were normal, and the patient was not taking medication. A repeat pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of recurrence., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first documented occurrence of XH with DI completely cured through surgery. If XH is suspected, total surgical resection of the lesion is recommended and normal pituitary tissue should be carefully protected intraoperatively., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the anterior cranial base is used for the resection of craniopharyngiomas., Objective: We present clinical experience and outcomes of using EEA for craniopharyngiomas., Methods: A total of 116 patients in 2 remote institutions were enrolled in this retrospective study. Surgical, endocrinologic, and ophthalmologic outcomes were assessed., Results: The mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 1-115). Gross total resection (GTR), near total resection (NTR, >95%), and subtotal resection (STR) were achieved in 46%, 39%, and 15% of the patients, respectively. Surgery performed after 2010 was the only variable significantly associated with greater extent of resection, which might be explained by the learning curve. Overall tumor recurrence rate was 15.5%, with a median interval until recurrence of 14.5 months (range, 3-58). Extent of resection was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0116). Those who underwent NTR/STR followed by adjuvant radiotherapy had a similar median recurrence-free survival rate compared with those who underwent GTR (26.5 vs. 20 months, P = 0.167). Endocrinologic examination revealed that 47.4% of patients experienced worsening of anterior pituitary function following surgery while 25.5% developed new-onset diabetes insipidus. Of the 89 patients with preoperative visual deficits, 68 (76.4%) experienced improvement in visual field assessment., Conclusion: EEA is effective for the surgical resection of craniopharyngiomas, resulting in high rates of visual improvement and low complication rates. Adjuvant radiotherapy is a useful method for tumor control after incomplete resection., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a well-known complication of transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery. However, the risk factors for DI after transcranial surgery have not been clarified. In this study, the clinical parameters for predicting DI after transcranial surgery were investigated., Methods: The perioperative records of 90 patients who underwent transcranial (TC) surgery at the authors' institution between November 2011 and March 2013 were chosen from 1657 patients with pituitary adenoma and retrospectively analyzed. The degree of deformation of the third ventricle and hypothalamus were assessed by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging., Results: Immediate postoperative DI was found in 30 patients (33.3%). Persistent DI was noted in 11 patients (12.6%). Compared with patients in the nonpostoperative DI group, those with postoperative DI had a higher degree of deformation of the third ventricle and hypothalamus (P < 0.001). In a binary logistic regression analysis, the degree of deformation of the third ventricle and hypothalamus (odds ratio [OR], 3.079; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.600-5.925; P = 0.001) had a significant positive correlation with immediate postoperative DI, as well as postoperative hemorrhage (OR, 6.235, 95% CI, 1.457-26.689; P = 0.014). Postoperative hemorrhage (OR, 4.363; 95% CI, 1.021-18.647; P = 0.047) showed a positive correlation with permanent DI, as well as the degree of deformation of the third ventricle and hypothalamus (OR, 2.336; 95% CI, 1.005-5.427; P = 0.049)., Conclusions: The degree of deformation of the third ventricle and hypothalamus assessed by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging may help to predict postoperative DI. Postoperative hemorrhage might increase the incidence of postoperative DI, whether it is immediate postoperative DI or permanent DI., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The differential diagnosis of neurohypophysial lesions is difficult, and surgical biopsies are indispensable in the histologic diagnosis of some patients. Although pituitary stalk biopsies are uniformly performed, there is a considerable risk that they will result in impaired hormonal secretion. We attempt to clarify the usefulness and safety of posterior pituitary lobe biopsy by transsphenoidal surgery (TSS)., Methods: The cases of 11 consecutive patients who underwent posterior pituitary lobe biopsies by TSS were retrospectively studied. Patients with cystic sellar lesions were excluded. We examined the clinical findings, endocrinologic data, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and histologic diagnoses of the patients. The locations of neurohypophysial lesions and the histologic diagnoses by posterior pituitary lobe biopsies were examined., Results: The major preoperative clinical symptoms were diabetes insipidus (DI) (90.9%), followed by anterior pituitary lobe dysfunction (hypopituitarism) (54.5%). In all the patients, the lesions occupied the pituitary stalk and the posterior pituitary lobe, and the bright spot, which would indicate a normal posterior pituitary gland, disappeared on T1-weighted imaging. The posterior pituitary lobe specimens could be histologically diagnosed in all these cases. DI persisted in 10 patients with preoperative DI after the biopsy, whereas the 1 patient without preoperative DI did not suffer from DI after the biopsy., Conclusions: A posterior pituitary lobe biopsy by TSS may be an alternative to pituitary stalk biopsy in patients with neurohypophysial lesions., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Calcified chronic subdural hematomas are an occurrence rarely seen in neurosurgical clinical practice. And when they occur bilaterally, the radiologic image they present is fascinating, as is the clinical presentation, but their management may be challenging. They have been reported to present with a multitude of neurologic deficits but never with diabetes insipidus, which is described here. Due to the rarity of this pathology, the management protocol is not well defined, though there have been quite a few papers on this condition. This review article gathers information published over the years on this rare entity to suggest a treatment protocol., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) in the elderly population., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of operative cases over a 7-year period, in which 158 elderly patients (age 65 years and older) who underwent a pure EETA to remove a pituitary adenoma were identified and compared with a series of 155 younger patients (age 40-55 years) who underwent the same procedure during the same period. The medical charts of the patients were reviewed to collect demographic information, such as age, sex, clinical symptoms, tumor size, the extent of tumor resection, clinical outcome, and complications., Results: In the elderly group, total resection was achieved in 120 patients (75.9%), and 124 patients (78.5%) achieved significant postsurgical visual remission. In the younger group, total resection was achieved in 119 patients (76.8%), with 126 patients (81.2%) achieving significant postsurgical visual remission. Regarding surgical complications in the elderly group, transient diabetes insipidus occurred postoperatively in 28 (17.8%) patients, and permanent diabetes insipidus occurred in 7 (4.4%) patients. Six (6.4%) patients experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and new developments of anterior hypopituitarism occurred in 15 (9.5%) cases. In the younger group, 21 (13.6%) patients developed transient diabetes insipidus postoperatively, and 5 (3.2%) patients experienced permanent diabetes insipidus. Six (3.9%) patients reported postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and 13 (8.4%) patients developed a new anterior hypopituitarism. There were no cases of either carotid artery injury or death in either group. During the follow-up (mean, 32 months), 11 (6.9%) patients experienced tumor recurrence in the elderly group compared with 24 (15.5%) patients in the younger group. Of the 15 elderly patients who developed new hypopituitarism, 13 (86.7%) recovered without hormone replacement; accordingly, the rate of hypopituitarism remission was 84.6% in the younger patients., Conclusions: NFPAs in the elderly can be resected via a pure endoscopic technique with low morbidity and mortality., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical, radiologic, histologic, and surgical outcome characteristics of this disease treated in a single institution., Methods: Sixteen adult patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery from October 2005 to December 2010 at Neurosurgical Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The clinical, radiological, operative, and pathological findings of the patients were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Pituitary dysfunction was presented in 12 patients, visual acuity and/or field deterioration in 11 patients, and headache in 8 patients. Hyperprolactinemia was presented in 7 of 9 female patients. All lesions were resected by transsphenoidal microsurgery as the primary procedure. A gross total resection was achieved in 3 of 16 patients, a radical subtotal resection in the remaining 13 patients. Nine cases were histologically classified as adamantinous subtype. After a mean follow-up of 50 months, 2 patients experienced recurrence. All female patients who had hyperprolactinemia experienced a gain of function postoperatively. Six patients experienced new diabetes insipidus. Visual field improved or normalized in 8 of 9 patients. Visual acuity improved in 1 case, and worsened in 1 patient., Conclusions: Primary adult infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas are relatively rare lesions occurring in young adults. Pituitary dysfunction, visual acuity and/or field deterioration, and headache were the most common chief symptoms. Transsphenoidal surgery, including tearing the cyst walls off the diaphragma sellae and protecting normal pituitary tissue as much as possible, is recommended. Although at the risk of impairing the function of anterior pituitary, transsphenoidal surgery results in a high rate of both visual field and hyperprolactinemia improvement with a low associated risk of recurrence. In terms of pathological aspects, the adamantinous subtype was more common., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Sellar lesions, such as pituitary adenomas, even when extended to the suprasellar space may be usually removed through a trans-sphenoidal approach. Larger lesions extending well beyond the edges of the sellar diaphragm such as giant adenomas are best controlled with craniotomy and/or a combined approach that implies both, transphenoidal and transcranial route. Currently, the availability of more sophisticated endoscopes in this type of surgery has provided optimal angles of view and rendered the trans-sphenoidal route less invasive yet, more effective., Case Description: The authors report a case of a giant pituitary adenoma successfully managed by a simultaneous, combined endoscopic trans-sphenoidal-transventricular approach., Conclusion: In selected case of giant pituitary adenoma with ventricular extension, this technique may help to achieve a gross total removal avoiding the need of staged procedures allowing also a direct visualization of the extent of removal. Finally this approach can potentially improve gross total resection rate of different types of tumor involving this region such as cranipharyngiomas while reducing morbidity and mortality., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)