Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Outcomes after repeat transsphenoidal surgery for recurrent Cushing's disease
Chirag G Patil1, Anand Veeravagu, Daniel M Prevedello
1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. chiragpatil@gmail.com
Neurosurgery
|September 18, 2008
Summary
Repeat transsphenoidal surgery offers a chance for remission in recurrent Cushing's disease, though less successful than initial operations. Alternative treatments are available if surgery fails.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Cushing's disease, caused by pituitary corticotroph adenomas, often requires surgical intervention.
- Recurrence of Cushing's disease after initial transsphenoidal surgery necessitates further treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze patient outcomes following repeat transsphenoidal (TS) surgery for recurrent Cushing's disease.
- To evaluate the efficacy and predictors of remission after a second TS intervention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 36 patients undergoing repeat TS surgery for recurrent Cushing's disease (1992-2006).
- Definition of remission based on postoperative 24-hour urine free cortisol or need for glucocorticoid replacement.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of remission.
Main Results:
- Remission was achieved in 61% (22/36) of patients after repeat TS surgery.
- The odds of failure were 3.7 times higher compared to first-time TS surgery (85.5% remission rate).
- Overall remission, including subsequent therapies, was achieved in 83.3% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Repeat TS surgery provides a viable option for achieving remission in recurrent Cushing's disease, despite lower success rates than initial surgery.
- For persistent or recurrent disease post-surgery, alternative treatments like pituitary radiation, medical therapy, or bilateral adrenalectomy are crucial.
Related Concept Videos
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...
