Recommendations for the diagnosis and radiological follow-up of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) constitute a heterogeneous group of tumours with a gradually increasing incidence, partly accounted for by more sensitive imaging techniques and more extensive experience in neuroradiology in this regard. Although most PitNETs are indolent, some exhibit aggressive behaviour, and recurrence may be seen after surgical removal. The changes introduced in the WHO classification in 2017 and terminological debates in relation to neuroendocrine tumours warrant an update of the guidelines for the diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative management, and follow-up of response to treatment of PitNETs.

Postoperative CSF leakages after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas: Analysis of a series of 302 surgical procedures.

Introduction: Transsphenoidal surgical removal is the preferred treatment of most pituitary adenomas. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is the leading cause of morbidity after this procedure, with an incidence rate that varies from 0,5-15% in the main published series.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to establish the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage in a sample of surgeries performed at the University Hospital of La Ribera by the same surgical team.

Is it time to consider the expression of specific-pituitary hormone genes when typifying pituitary tumours?

The aim of the present study is to check whether we can replicate, in an independent series, previous results showing that the molecular study of pituitary-specific gene expression complements the inmunohistochemical identification of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. We selected 112 patients (51 (46.4%) women; mean age 51.

Contribution of molecular analysis to the typification of the non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

Aim: The WHO Classification of Tumours of Endocrine Organs considers the inmunohistochemical characterization of pituitary adenomas (PA) as mandatory for patient diagnosis. Recent advances in the knowledge of the molecular patterns of these tumours could complement this classification with gene expression profiling.

Methods: Within the context of the Spanish Molecular Registry of Pituitary Adenomas (REMAH), a multicentre clinical-basic research project, we analysed the molecular phenotype of 142 PAs with complete IHC and clinical information.

Benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease in acromegaly. Is a routine thyroid ultrasound evaluation advisable?

Data on the prevalence of benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease in patients with acromegaly is a matter of debate. In the last decade an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer in a large series of patients with acromegaly with a cross-sectional study with a control group.

Fluorescence-guided surgery and biopsy in gliomas with an exoscope system.

Background: The introduction of fluorescence-guided resection allows a better identification of tumor tissue and its more radical resection. We describe our experience with a modified exoscope to detect 5 ALA-induced fluorescence in neuronavigation-guided brain surgery or biopsy of malignant brain tumors.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with a suspected preoperative diagnosis of high-grade astrocytoma were included.

Fluorescence-guided surgery in high grade gliomas using an exoscope system.

Background: Fluorescence-guided microsurgical resections of high-grade gliomas using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is superior to conventional microsurgery. An optical device, usually a modified microscope, is needed for these procedures. However, an exoscope may be implemented for fluorescence techniques.

Over-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in pituitary adenomas is associated with extrasellar growth and recurrence.

Some pituitary adenomas (PA) demonstrate aggressive behavior with local invasion and recurrences. Angiogenesis is regarded as an essential step in the formation of solid tumors. The aim of this study is to find out whether angiogenic factors may have information about the aggressiveness of PA that could be useful in determining the frequency of follow-up and whether adjuvant therapy is necessary.

[Mini-open approaches in anterior lumbar spine surgery].

Introduction: The anterior spine approach known as «mini-open» was introduced a few years ago for the surgical treatment of spine diseases. This approach allows the anterior, body and intervertebral disc structures to be exposed, as well as the anterior compression of the dural sac and the reconstruction and/or stabilisation of the levels of interest with an appropriate system. In the present article we present our experience in mini-open anterior spine surgery (MOASS) approach in the treatment of lumbar spine diseases.