• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2010

Objective: To investigate the morphometric characteristics of the pituitary gland and diaphragma sellae in Korean adults. Methods: Using the 33 formaline fixed adult cadavers (23 male, 10 female), the measurements were taken at the diaphragma sellae and pituitary gland. The authors investigated the relationship between dura and structures surrounding pituitary gland, morphometric aspects of pituitary gland and stalk, and morphometric aspect of central opening of diaphragma sellae. Results: The boundary between the lateral surface of pituitary gland and the medial wall of cavernous sinus was formed by the thin dural layer and pituitary capsule. The pituitary capsule adherent tightly to the pituitary gland was observed to continue from the diaphragma sellae. Mean width, length, and height of the pituitary gland were 14.3${\pm}$2.1, 7.9${\pm}$1.3, and 6.0${\pm}$0.9 mm in anterior lobes, and 8.7${\pm}$1.7, 2.9${\pm}$1.1, and 5.8${\pm}$1.0 mm in posterior lobes, respectively. Although all dimensions of anterior lobe in female were slightly larger than those in male, statistical significance was noted in only longitudinal dimension. The ratio of posterior lobe to the whole length of pituitary gland was about 27%. The mean thickness of pituitary stalk was 2 mm. The diaphragmal opening was 5 mm or more in 26 (78.8%) of 33 specimen. The opening was round in 60.6% of the specimen, and elliptical oriented in an anterior-posterior or transverse direction in 39.4%. Conclusion: These results provide the safe anatomical knowledge during the transsphenoidal surgery and may be helpful to access the possibility of the development of empty sella syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2010

Objective : The normal anatomic relationships characteristic of the pituitary stalk area were previously thought to involve only one location. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the anatomic location of the pituitary stalk and possible varying locations in relation to the tuberculum sellae and dorsum sellae using morphometric evaluation and anatomic dissection of human cadaveric specimens. The surgical implications of the variations are discussed. Methods : The calvaria were removed via routine autopsy dissections, and the brains were removed from the skull while preserving the pituitary stalk. The diaphragma sellae, tuberculum sellae, and the location of the pituitary stalk were examined in 60 human cadaveric heads obtained from fresh adult cadavers. Empty sellae were excluded. Results : The openings of the diaphragma sellae averaged $6.62{\pm}1.606mm$ (range, 3-9 mm). The distance between the tuberculum sellae and the posterior part of the pituitary stalk was 1 to 8 mm. The upper face of the diaphragma sellae appeared flat in 26 (43%), concave in 24 (40%), and convex in 6 cases (10%), with a prominent tuberculum sellae in 4 cases (7%). The location of the chiasm was normal in 47 cases (78%), with a prefixed chiasm in 3 cases (5%) and a postfixed chiasm (17%) in the 10 cases. Four cadaver specimens had prominent tuberculum sellae and other parameters were not evaluated. Conclusion : When opening the chiasmatic cistern, neurosurgeons should be aware about the relationship between the pituitary stalk and the surrounding structures to prevent inadvertent injury to the pituitary stalk.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.375-377
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• 2009

A 49-year-old woman presented with headache, vomiting and visual disturbance. Neurological examination revealed bitemporal hemianopsia with poor visual acuity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a bulky intra-suprasellar mass, which was isointense with brain parenchyma on T1-weighted images, and slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. After gadolinium administration, the mass was homogeneously enhanced. The mass was partially removed by the endonasal transsphenoidal approach and then the remnant mass was totally removed by the transcranial approach five months later. We found a yellowish mass which was attached to the diaphragm sellae in operation field. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed the characteristic features of a schwannoma. We report an unusual case of an intra-suprasellar schwannoma resembling a non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma both clinically and radiologically.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.110-119
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• 2021

Objective : Preoperative prediction of the arachnoid membrane descent in pituitary surgery is useful for achieving gross total removal and avoiding cerebrospinal fluid leakage resulting from tearing of the arachnoid membrane in the chiasmatic cistern. In this study, we analyzed the patterns of arachnoid membrane descent during or after pituitary tumor surgery and identified the factors related to this descent. Methods : Analysis was restricted to pituitary macroadenomas not extending into the third ventricle or over the internal carotid artery. To minimize confounding factors, patients who underwent revision surgery, those who had a torn arachnoid during operation or small medial diaphragma sellae (DS) opening, and subtotal resections were excluded. We enrolled 41 consecutive patients in this retrospective analysis. The degree of arachnoid descent was categorized using intraoperative videos. Preoperative magnetic resonance findings, including tumor height, suprasellar extension, and variables including DS area and medial opening size, tumor composition, and displacement of the pituitary stalk and gland were evaluated to determine their correlations with arachnoid membrane descent. Results : Arachnoid membrane descent was significantly correlated with DS area and medial opening size. Based on T2-weighted images (T2WI) magnetic resonance (MR) images, tumor composition was significantly associated with arachnoid membrane descent. Other factors were not significantly correlated with arachnoid membrane descent. Conclusion : T2WI of tumor composition and preoperative MR imaging of DS area and medial opening provided valuable information regarding arachnoid membrane descent. These parameters may serve as fundamental measures to facilitate complete resection of pituitary macroadenomas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 2022

Objective : Early descent of the diaphragm sellae (DS) during endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) for pituitary macroadenoma surgery is occasionally a troublesome event by blocking the surgical field. Here we introduce an alternative technique with the new pituitary retractor and present our clinical experiences. Methods : We designed a simple and rigid pituitary retractor with the least space occupation in the nasal cavity to be compatible in EETS. The pituitary retractor was held by external holder system to support the herniated DS stably. We retrospectively reviewed a clinical 22 cases of pituitary macroadenomas underwent EETS using the pituitary retractor. Results : The pituitary retractor stably pushed up the herniated DS in all cases, and the surgeon proceeded the procedure with bimanual maneuver. The pituitary retractor was helpful to remove tumors around the medial cavernous sinus and behind the DS in 16 and seven cases, respectively. In four cases, the meticulous hemostasis was completed with the direct visualization by the DS elevation with this retractor. Gross total tumor resection was performed in 20/22 patients (91%). The impaired visual function and hypopituitarism were improved in 18/20 (90%) and 7/14 (50%) patients after surgery, respectively. There was no complication related with the pituitary retractor. Conclusion : During EETS for pituitary macroadenomas, the novel pituitary retractor reported in this study is a very useful technique when the herniated DS block the surgical field and bimanual maneuver. This pituitary retractor can help to result in the excellent surgical outcomes with minimal morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.945-948
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• 2000

A sixty-three year old woman presented with sudden onset of dystonic twitching of the extremities and repeatedly downgrading of consciousness in the midnight. She had no history of medical illness in the past but had been suffered from fatigue recently before the onset of the attack. At admission she was neurologically free including neuro-ophthalmologic examination. MRI showed a high signal T1WI mass in the sella protruding into the suprasellar cistern. Hormonal study revealed low value of T3, T4, LH and FSH. Under the impression of pituitary apoplexy she underwent operation via transcranial route. When the protruding diaphragma sellae was opened, milkish pus spilled out. The thick capsule was biopsied and pus was sent for the study. The results of Gram staining and culture were both negative but pathologic report of the specimen was high infiltration of lymphocytes with few polymorphs.