Pituitary adenomas in older adults (≥ 65 years): 90-day outcomes and readmissions: a 10-year endoscopic endonasal surgical experience.

Authors

Jai Deep Thakur, Pacific Neuroscience Institute/John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CaliforniaFollow
Alex Corlin, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
Regin Jay Mallari, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
Weichao Huang, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
Amalia Eisenberg, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
Walavan Sivakumar, Department of Neurosurgery, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, United States; John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USAFollow
Howard Krauss, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CaliforniaFollow
Chester Griffiths, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA; John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
Sarah Rettinger, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence's Saint John's Health Center, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USAFollow
Pejman Cohan, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
Garni Barkhoudarian, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA; John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USAFollow
Katherine A Araque, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA. 2 John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USAFollow
Daniel Kelly, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, 2125 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA; John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-16-2020

Publication Title

Pituitary

Keywords

Elderly; Endoscopic endonasal; Hyperprolactinemia; Hypopituitarism; Pituitary adenoma; Transsphenoidal surgery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Longer lifespan and newer imaging protocols have led to more older adults being diagnosed with pituitary adenomas. Herein, we describe outcomes of patients ≥ 65 years undergoing endoscopic adenoma removal. To address selection criteria, we also assess a conservatively managed cohort.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 90-day outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary adenomectomy from 2010 to 2019 by a neurosurgical/ENT team was performed. Tumor subtype, cavernous sinus invasion, extent of resection/early remission, endocrinology outcomes, complications, re-operations and readmissions were analyzed. A comparator cohort ≥ 65 years undergoing clinical surveillance without surgery was also analyzed.

RESULTS: Of 468 patients operated on for pituitary adenoma, 123 (26%) were ≥ 65 years (range 65-93 years); 106 (86.2%) had endocrine-inactive adenomas; 18 (14.6%) had prior surgery. Of 106 patients with endocrine-inactive adenomas, GTR was achieved in 70/106 (66%). Of 17 patients with endocrine-active adenomas, early biochemical remission was: Cushing's 6/8; acromegaly 1/4; prolactinomas 1/5. Gland function recovery occurred in 28/58 (48.3%) patients with various degrees of preoperative hypopituitarism. New anterior hypopituitarism occurred in 3/110 (2.4%) patients; permanent DI in none. Major complications in 123 patients were: CSF leak 2 (1.6%), meningitis 1 (0.8%), vision decline 1 (0.8%). There were no vascular injuries, operative hematomas, anosmia, deaths, MIs, or thromboembolic events. Median length of stay was 2 days. Readmissions occurred in 14/123 (11.3%) patients, 57% for delayed hyponatremia. Intra-cohort analysis by age (65-69, 70-74, 75-79,  ≥ 80 years) revealed no outcome differences. Cavernous sinus invasion (OR 7.7, CI 1.37-44.8; p = 0.02) and redo-surgery (OR 8.5, CI 1.7-42.8; p = 0.009) were negative predictors for GTR/NTR. Of 105 patients evaluated for presumed pituitary adenoma beginning in 2015, 72 (69%) underwent surgery, 8 (7%) had prolactinomas treated with cabergoline and 25 (24%) continue clinical surveillance without surgery, including two on new hormone replacement.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that elderly patients carefully selected for endoscopic adenoma removal can have excellent short-term outcomes including high resection rates, low complication rates and short length of stay. Our experience supports a multidisciplinary approach and the concept of pituitary centers of excellence. Based on our observations, approximately 25% of elderly patients with pituitary adenomas referred for possible surgery can be monitored closely without surgery.

Clinical Institute

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Department

Surgery

Department

Neurosciences

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