• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.405-409
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• 2014

Objective : To determine the efficacy of endoscopic surgery in combination with long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs) in treating patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary tumor. Methods : We performed retrospective analysis of 133 patients with GH producing pituitary adenoma who underwent pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in our center from January 2007 to July 2012. Patients were followed up for a range of 3-48 months. The radiological remission, biochemical remission and complication were evaluated. Results : A total of 110 (82.7%) patients achieved radiological complete resection, 11 (8.2%) subtotal resection, and 12 (9.0%) partial resection. Eighty-eight (66.2%) patients showed nadir GH level less than 1 ng/mL after oral glucose administration. No mortality or severe disability was observed during follow up. Preoperative long-acting SSA successfully improved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood glucose in three patients who subsequently underwent success operation. Long-acting SSA (20 mg every 30 days) achieved biochemical remission in 19 out 23 (82.6%) patients who showed persistent high GH level after surgery. Conclusion : Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can biochemically cure the majority of GH producing pituitary adenoma. Post-operative use of SSA can improve biochemical remission.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2015

Objective : Complete sellar floor reconstruction is critical to avoid postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage during transsphenoidal surgery. Recently, the pedicled nasoseptal flap has undergone many modifications and eventually proved to be valuable and efficient. However, using these nasoseptal flaps in all patients who undergo transsphenoidal surgery, including those who had none or only minor CSF leakage, appears to be overly invasive and time-consuming. Methods : Patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal tumor surgery within a 5 year-period were reviewed. Since 2009, we classified the intraoperative CSF leakage into grades from 0 to 3. Sellar floor reconstruction was tailored to each leak grade. We did not use any tissue grafts such as abdominal fat and did not include any procedures of CSF diversions such as lumbar drainage. Results : Among 200 cases in 188 patients (147 pituitary adenoma and 41 other pathologies), intraoperative CSF leakage was observed in 27.4% of 197 cases : 14.7% Grade 1, 4.6% Grade 2a, 3.0% Grade 2b, and 5.1% Grade 3. Postoperative CSF leakage was observed in none of the cases. Septal bone buttress was used for Grade 1 to 3 leakages instead of any other foreign materials. Pedicled nasoseptal flap was used for Grades 2b and 3 leakages. Unused septal bones and nasoseptal flaps were repositioned. Conclusion : Modified classification of intraoperative CSF leaks and tailored repair technique in a multilayered fashion using an en-bloc harvested septal bone and vascularized nasoseptal flaps is an effective and reliable method for the prevention of postoperative CSF leaks.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-19
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• 2021

Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare illness characterized by chronic hypercortisolism secondary to the overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone by a pituitary adenoma, which is associated with a high risk of developing serious complications, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and emotional disorders. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is performed for the treatment of CD, and was initially preferred over other types of treatments. However, the recurrence after pituitary surgery for CD is a common problem after an initial successful surgery. In microadenomas, the remission rates were higher than those of macroadenoma. This patient had a giant tumor that was greater than 4 cm in length on sella magnetic resonance imaging, and panhypopituitarism was detected using a combined pituitary stimulation test. After transsphenoidal surgery, the patient required temporary hormone replacement for a short period of time. After 1 year, he showed a normal cortisol response on the overnight dexamethasone suppression test and low morning cortisol levels. Therefore, we indicated that the patient was cured of giant macroadenoma with panhypopituitarism before surgery, and thus, reported this case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.503-506
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• 2011

Objective : The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of radiation-sterilized allografts of iliac bone and fascia lata from cadaver specimens to repair skull base defects after transsphenoidal surgery. Methods : Between May 2009 and January 2010, 31 consecutive patients underwent endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and all patients received sellar reconstruction using allografts following tumor removal. The allografts were obtained from the local tissue bank and harvested from cadaver donors. The specimens used in our approach were tensor fascia lata and the flat area of iliac bone. For preparation, allografts were treated with gamma irradiation after routine screening by culture, and then stored at $-70^{\circ}C$. Results : The mean follow-up period after surgery was 12.6 months (range, 7.4-16 months). Overall, postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks occurred in three patients (9.7%) and postoperative meningitis in one patient (3.2%). There was no definitive evidence of wound infection at the routine postoperative follow-up examination or during re-do surgery in three patients. Postoperative meningitis in one patient was improved with the use of antibiotics and prolonged CSF diversion. Conclusion : We suggest that allograft materials can be a feasible alternative to autologous tissue grafts for sellar reconstruction following transsphenoidal surgery under selected circumstances such as no or little intraoperative CSF leaks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2008

Objective : Microscopic and endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (TSA) are major surgical techniques in the treatment of pituitary adenoma. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETSA) has been increasingly used for pituitary adenomas, however, its surgical outcome particularly in functioning pituitary adenoma has been debated. Here, we investigated the endocrine outcome of the patients with growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secreting pituitary adenoma treated by EETSA. Methods : We treated 80 patients with pituitary adenoma by EETSA since 2004, of which 12 patients were affected by functioning pituitary adenomas (9 GH, 3 ACTH, 0 PRL; 9 macro, 3 micro). Surgical outcome of those patients treated by EETSA was compared with that of the 11 functioning pituitary adenoma patients (8 GH, 3 ACTH; 8 macro, 3 micro) who underwent sublabial microscopic TSA between 1997 and 2003. Results : Imaging remission based on postoperative MRI was achieved in 8 (73%) and hormonal remission in 5 (45%) of 11 patients treated by sublabial microscopic TSA. Imaging remission was observed in 10 (83%, p=0.640) and hormonal remission in 10 (83%, p=0.081) of 12 patients by EETSA. CSF leakage was noticed in 2 (17%) of EETSA group and in 2 (18%) of sublabial microscopic TSA group. Panhypopituitarism was observed in 1 (9%) of EETSA group and in 3 (27%) of sublabial microscopic TSA group. Conclusion : EETSA appears to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of functioning pituitary adenomas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.586-591
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• 2001

Objective : Transseptal or sublabial transsphenoidal surgery has been standard teatment for pituitary tumors for decades. However, as an alternative to this surgery endonasal endoscopic technique has been reported with encouraging results. We have started endoscopy-assisted transsphednoidal surgery from May 1998. In this paper we analyzed the methods, outcome, advantage and disadvantage of this surgical approach for the purpose of planning optimal treatment of pituitary tumors. Methods : This study consisits of 13 cases of pituitary tumors who were treated by endoscopy-assisted transsphenoidal surgery using one nostril from May 1998 to July 1999. Mean follow up period was 12.9 months. Results : There was no septal or sublabial incision and little surgical damage to nasal structure. With this technique, rapid surgical approach and short hospital day were possible, being 3-6 days in patients without CSF leakage. Using various angled endoscope, good surgical view was obtained. Initially it was difficult to use various instruments in narrow nasal cavity, but became feasible after several procedures. Among 13 cases, total removal was possible in 11 cases. One of two cases in whom tumor was incompletely removed underwent gamma-knife radiosurgery and second underwent reoperation through subfrontal approach. There were 6 cases of hormone secreting tumors and hormonal remission was achived in all of these cases. Postoperative complications were CSF leakage(6 cases), diabetes insipidus(2 cases) and panhypopituitarysm(1 case). Lumbar drainage was done in all cases of CSF leakage. Conclusion : The advantage of endoscopy-assisted transsphenoidal surgery are rapid surgical approach, low postoperative morbidity, short hospital day and good surgical view. The disadvantage of this appoach are difficulty in manupulating various instruments in narrow nostril and difficulty in distance perception but these problems can be overcome by practice and using stereoscopic endoscope.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.218-222
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• 2013

Objective : To clarify the anatomical correlations of the sphenoid sinus with surrounding structures in the normal Korean population, and to identify surgical landmarks for safe sellar floor dissection in the anterior skull base by endoscopy and microscopy. Methods : We reviewed the 196 brain magnetic resonance imaging findings showing a normal appearance, and measured the distances between anatomical landmarks. Results : The mean distances from the base of the columella to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and the sellar floor were $69.71{\pm}4.25$ mm and $86.26{\pm}4.57$ mm, respectively in the over 15 age group, and showed the smallest degree of variation among the measurements. The mean angles between the floor of the nasal cavity and the straight line connecting the base of the columella and the sellar floor were $29.45{\pm}3.25^{\circ}$ and $24.75{\pm}4.00^{\circ}$ in the over 15 and under 15 age groups, respectively. The mean values of both distances and angles increased with age until 15 years after which no further increases were evident. There were no significant differences in the measurements between males and females or among subjects with different degrees of pneumatization in the over 15 age group. Conclusion : The distances from the base of the columella to the sellar floor and the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, which were consistent among individuals, could be used as a surgical indicator to investigate the sellar floor in endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal approaches.

• 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.37 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and advantages of an endoscopic endonasal approach for the treatment of pituitary tumors. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 patients with pituitary tumors having endoscopic endonasal surgery between March 1999 and August 2003. Results: Among 31 patients with pituitary adenomas, 25 (81%) patients exhibited gross total removal of tumor on postoperative MRI within 3 days after surgery. Among 6 patients removed subtotally, 2 had only radiosurgery, 3 have had periodic follow-up MRIs and one patient with large extended tumor (grade IV, Stage E) had secondary transcranial removal of tumor before radiosurgery. Postoperative complications included cerebrospinal fluid leak in 2 patients, sinusitis in 1 patient, and one patient died due to unexpected intracerebral hemorrhage on 5 days after surgery. Besides considerable experiences with this approach are needed because of narrow working channel to the sella turcica, the results of our study showed following advantages of this procedure: visualization of areas not seen with the operating microscope, elimination of oronasal complications, more functional and cosmetic outcome, and shortened operative time and hospital stay. Conclusion: The authors consider that endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach provides good results with minimal invasion for patients with pituitary tumors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.577-583
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• 2016

Objective : The inter-rater reliability of the modified Knosp's classification was measured before the analysis. The clinical validity of the parasellar extension grading system was evaluated by investigating the extents of resection and complication rates among the grades in the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) for pituitary adenomas. Methods : From November 2008 to August 2015, of the 286 patients who underwent EETS by the senior author, 208 were pituitary adenoma cases (146 non-functioning pituitary adenomas, 10 adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenomas, 31 growth hormone-secreting adenomas, 17 prolactin-secreting adenomas, and 4 thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting adenomas; 23 microadenomas, 174 macroadenomas, and 11 giant adenomas). Two neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist independently measured the degree of parasellar extension on the preoperative sellar MRI according to the modified Knosp's classification. Inter-rater reliability was statistically assessed by measuring the intraclass correlation coefficient. The extents of resection were evaluated by comparison of the pre- and post-operative MR images; the neurovascular complications were assessed by reviewing the patients' medical records. The extent of resection was measured in each parasellar extension grade; thereafter, their statistical differences were calculated. Results : The intraclass correlation coefficient value of reliability across the three raters amounted to 0.862. The gross total removal (GTR) rates achieved in each grade were 70.0, 69.8, 62.9, 21.4, 37.5, and 4.3% in Grades 0, 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, respectively. A significant difference in the extent of resection was observed only between Grades 2 and 3A. In addition, significantly higher complication rates were observed in the groups above Grade 3A. Conclusion : Although the modified Knosp's classification system appears to be complex, its inter-rater reliability proves to be excellent. Regarding the clinical validity of the parasellar extension grading system, Grades 3A, 3B, and 4 have a negative predictive value for the GTR rate, with higher complication rates.