• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.37-43
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• 1979

This is an analysis of 39 patients studied at the Yonsei Medical Center from January, 1976 to March 1979. Of these35 patient were suspected of having hypothalamic insufficiency and subjected to the L-Dopa stimulation test to observe growth hormone sceretory function while four acromegaly patient received the glucose loading test and L-Dopa stimulation test. The results are as follows: 1. The basal level of GH in the various disease was as follows: a. The basal level was lower than the control level but was not statistically significant b. In diabetes the mean value tended to be higher than the control level but was not significant statistically c. In all four acromegaly patients the GH level was significantly higher than the control level 2. Of 13 patients with diabetes, nine had diabetic retinopathy, and of those nine, sir showed increased L-Dopa response. However, of the four non retinopathic DM patients, only one showed increased response to L-Dopa. 3. Two patients out of ten with Sheehan's syndrome responded to L-Dopa stimulation. 4. One Patient of eight with pituitary chromophobe adenoma responded to L-Dopa stimulation. 5. Four acromegaly patients revealed 3 acidophilic adenoma and one chromophobe adenoma histologically. Of patients receiving the L-Dopa stimulation test. Two showed a paradoxical response. Two patients who received the glucose loading test showed supressed response. 6. Of two craniopharyngioma patients, one showed increased GH response after L-Dopa stimulation. Increased response of GH after L-Dopa stimulation was seen in one of two craniopharyngioma patients and also in one of two patients with

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.171-175
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• 2006

Objective : In the present study, we evaluate visual outcomes after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas and analyze the factors that are considered to affect visual outcomes. Methods : This study includes 30 patients with craniopharyngioma, who underwent surgery in this clinic during the last 10 years. The changes of visual function [visual acuity and field] of the patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively, and paired data of this change were compared. Also, the factors that influence on this change were analysed. Results : Among the 21 patients complaining of decreased vision before the operation, 8 patients were improved [38.0%], and 7 patients were worse [33.3%]. However, Four out of 9 patients without any preoperative visual symptoms developed worse vision after the operation [44.4%]. The average duration of symptom was 17.2 months in the improved group and 23.6 months in the aggravated group. The tumors recurred in only 5 patients after the gross total resection : Four of them showed the aggravation of visual function after surgical removal and 1 had improvement. Conclusion : After removal of craniopharyngiomas, the overall rate of vision improvement, no change and aggravation are 26.6%, 36.7% and 36.7%, respectively. Aggravation of postoperative visual function is higher in males, children and patients with a longer duration of symptom and the tumor recurres more frequently in patients who complained of worsened vision after surgical removal.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.439-448
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• 2022

Objective : Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are associated with hypothalamic damage that causes hypothalamic obesity, however, the mechanisms underlying CP-related postoperative weight gain remain debatable. This study aimed to elucidate whether the major determinant of postoperative weight gain in patients with CP is hypothalamic injury or steroid replacement therapy. Methods : We included 48 adult patients with CP (age ≥18 years) who underwent transsphenoidal surgery between 2010 and 2018 in a single tertiary center, and whose body weight was measured pre- and postoperatively (<120 days after the surgery). We recruited 144 age- and body mass index-matched patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) as controls. Results : Patients with CP experienced greater postoperative weight gain than patients with NFPA (3.0±5.1 vs. 0.1±3.6 kg, p<0.001). The prevalence of postoperative steroid use was significantly higher in patients with CP than in those with NFPA (89.6% vs. 34.0%, p<0.001). Steroid replacement therapy and CP were associated with postoperative weight gain after adjusting for covariates in overall patients (p=0.032 and 0.007, respectively). In subgroup analysis with postoperative steroid users, weight gain was significantly greater in patients with CP (n=43, 0.96±0.25 kg/month) than in patients with NFPA (n=49, 0.26±0.23 kg/month) even after adjusting for the daily steroid dose (p=0.048). Conclusion : Patients with CP experience greater postoperative weight gain than those with NFPA. Hypothalamic damage itself as well as steroid replacement may contribute to the postoperative weight gain in patients with CP.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2003

Purpose : Craniopharyngiomas are often accompanied by severe endocrine disorders. Although there is universal growth hormone deficiency(GHD), the resulting growth pattern is very heterogeneous. We report the growth and endocrine outcome of 44 children with craniopharyngioma, with emphasis on initial symptoms, growth before and during growth hormone(GH) treatment and spontaneous growth in spite of GHD. Methods : We performed a retrospective study of 44 children treated at our centre between 1984 and 2002. Results : About 30% of patients had symptoms suggesting endocrine disorder at diagnosis. After surgery, multiple endocrinopathies were almost universal. Before GH therapy, height velocity was $8.00{\pm}2.71cm/yr$ in the normal growth group(n=11) and $1.79{\pm}1.10cm/yr$ in the subnormal growth group(n=7) during the first year and during the second year, $6.76{\pm}2.49cm/yr$ and $2.29{\pm}1.33cm/yr$, respectively. There was no difference of body mass index(BMI) change between before and after surgery in the two groups. Height standard deviation score(SDS) was $-1.46{\pm}0.74$ in the normal growth group and $-0.43{\pm}0.97$ in the subnormal growth group. Before GH treatment height SDS was $-1.31{\pm}1.25$ and BMI was $20.46{\pm}3.60$. During GH treatment, height SDS increased to $-0.60{\pm}1.37$ in the first, and to $-0.41{\pm}1.54$ in the second year(P<0.05), but BMI did not change significantly. Conclusion : The endocrine morbidity could develop in most children with craniopharyngioma before and after the operation and should be managed properly. Although all treated patients benefit from GH therapy, further studies are necessary to find out the possible mechanism of growth regulation in normally growing children, despite GH deficient.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.286-290
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• 2000

A case of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst, which recurred five months after drainage of the cyst using transs-phenoidal approach, is presented. Symptomatic recurrence after surgery of Rathke's cleft cyst is very rare and nine cases have been reported in the literatures. The radiological and pathologic features and clinical course of this unusual case are described. Recent concepts about embryological pathogenesis and clinical behavior mimicking craniopharyngioma are discussed with the review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.472-478
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• 2001

Objectives : The authors present a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive adult patients harboring craniopharyngiomas who underwent microsurgical resection between 1981 and 1999 to assess the long-term outcome of surgical treatment and to determine the most optimal management strategy. Methods : The extent of surgical removal was divided into four categories ; GTR(gross total removal), RSTR(radical subtotal removal), STR(subtotal removal),and PR(partial removal). The median follow-up period was 50 months(4-198). CT scan and/or MR imaging and hormonal status were evaluated to the last follow-up. Results : Visual disturbance was the most common presentation, which was improved in 42 cases and aggravated in 19 cases following the operation. Hypopituitarism was detected in 56 patients preoperatively, 82 during the immediate postoperative period, and 76 at the last follow-up. Improvement of pituitary function was not observed in any of these patients. Twenty of 100 patients showed recurrence at the mean of 27 months(3 to 196). The median progression-free survival(PFS) time of all patients was 145 months and 5-year PFS rate was 74%. Five-year PFS rate of GTR or RSTR group(71%) was significantly higher than that of STR or PR group(30%)(p=0.01). Postoperative radiation therapy significantly prolonged the PFS from 94 months in non-radiation group to 182 months(p=0.002). However, there was no statistical difference in number of patients who required hormonal replacement therapy between radiation and non-radiation group. Conclusion : Visual disturbance can be improved by early diagnosis and surgical decompression. GTR or RSTR in selected patients is considered a proper surgical strategy. Post-operative radiation therapy for residual tumors must be considered, although the ideal timing of radiation therapy is to be determined.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2006

Objective : The authors assess the long term effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery[GKS] for remnant or recurred craniopharyngiomas on tumor control and possibly set proper radiation dose for tumor control with utmost preservation of the adjacent structures. Methods : Sixteen GKS were done in 14 patients with recurred or remnant craniopharyngiomas after surgery. Mean follow up duration was 44.2 months [range $11.3{\sim}123.6\;months$]. Follow up MR imagings were analyzed. Results : Mean tumor volume was $3.6cm^3$ [range $0.6{\sim}18cm^3$] and mean margin dose was 12.2Gy [range $8{\sim}22.4Gy$]. Tumor control was achieved in 87.5% [14 of 16 tumors] which were either solid or cystic in nature. Dose to optic apparatus was mean 7.9Gy and no radiation related complications were observed. Conclusion : GKS seems to be effective treatment modality for craniopharyngiomas regardless of nature of tumor whether it is cystic or solid. Dose of 8 to 8.5Gy may be sufficient to achieve long term tumor control for remnant or recurred craniopharyngiomas.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.222-230
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• 2001

Central diabetes insipidus (DI) can be the outcome of a number of diseases that affect the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal axis. The causes of the condition can be classified as traumatic, inflammatory, or neoplastic. Traumatic causes include postoperative sella or transection of the pituitary stalk, while infectious or inflammatory causes include meningitis, lymphocytic hypophysitis, and granulomatous inflammations such as sarcoidosis and Wegener's granulomatosis. Various neoplastic conditions such as germinoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, metastasis, leukemic infiltration, lymphoma, teratoma, pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, Rathke cleft cyst, hypothalamic glioma, and meningioma are also causes of central DI. In affected patients, careful analysis of these MR imaging features and correlation with the clinical manifestations can allow a more specific diagnosis, which is essential for treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.929-934
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• 2000

Objective : The results of secondary transsphenoidal surgery(TSS) for either residual or recurring pituitary adenomas have been reported to be unfavorable. To evaluate the effectiveness of secondary TSS, we analyzed the surgical results of residual or recurred pituitary adenomas in patients who underwent secondary TSS from 1992 to 1998. Material and Methods : Among the 95 patients who underwent TSS during this period, 14(15%) received repeated TSS. Two of the 14 patients underwent three TSS. Among the 11 patients with pituitary adenomas, three had nonfunctioning tumors ; six prolachnomas ; two GH-secreting adenomas. The remaining three patieats had craniopharyngioma, pituitary abscess and hemangioendothelioma respectively. The interval between the two surgical procedures ranged from one week to 33 months(mean ; 12 months). Causes of the secondary TSS were tumor recurrence in 11 patients, intentional staged operation in three, persistent disease despite medical therapy and CSF leak after initial operation in one respectively. Treatments prior to secondary TSS were medical treatment only in eight patients. Results : During the repeated operationtss some adhesion was noted in septal mucous membrane. The sphenoid cavity was filled with fibrous tissue which correlated with the methods of reconstruction of the sellar floor at the previous operation. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate of surgery between the initial and the second TSS(86% vs 81%). The complication rate was similar between the two procedures. There was no statistically significant factors affecting the results of second TSS. Conclusion : Transsphenoidal reoperation was regarded as a suitable approach for treating recurrent pituitary adenomas in spite of some degree of operative difficulties. In patients with transsphenoidally resectable tumor residuals or recurrences confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, remissions can be obtained with high probability, especially in secondary surgery after an staged decompression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2013

Objective : Intracavitary injection of beta-emitting radiation source for control of cystic tumors has been tried with a benefit of localized internal radiation. The authors treated cystic brain tumor patients with Holmium-166-chitosan complex (Ho-166-chico), composed of a beta-emitting radionuclide Holmium-166 and biodegradable chit polymer, and evaluated the safety and effective measurement for response. Methods : Twenty-two patients with recurrent cystic brain tumor and/or located in a deep or eloquent area were enrolled in this pilot study. The cyst volume and wall thickness were determined on CT or MRI to assess radiological response. The activity of Ho-166-chico injected via Ommaya reservoir was prescribed to be 10-25 Gy to the cyst wall in a depth of 4 mm. Results : There was neither complications related to systemic absorption nor leakage of Ho-166-chico in all 22 patients. But, two cases of oculomotor paresis were observed in patients with recurrent craniopharyngioma. Radiological response was seen in 14 of 20 available follow-up images (70%). Seven patients of 'evident' radiological response experienced more than 25% decrease of both cyst volume and wall thickness. Another 7 patients with 'suggestive' response showed decrease of cyst volume without definitive change of the wall thickness or vice versa. All patients with benign tumors or low grade gliomas experienced symptomatic improvement. Conclusion : Ho-166-chico intracavitary radiation therapy for cystic tumor is a safe method of palliation without serious complications. The determination of both minimal effective dosage and time interval of repeated injection through phase 1 trial could improve the results in the future.