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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Robotic Radiosurgery for Persistent Postoperative Acromegaly in Patients with Cavernous Sinus-Invading Pituitary
Felix Ehret1,2, Markus Kufeld2, Christoph Fürweger2
1Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Radiation Oncology, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Background:
The rates of incomplete surgical resection for pituitary macroadenomas with cavernous sinus invasion are high. In growth hormone-producing adenomas, there is a considerable risk for persistent acromegaly. Thus, effective treatment options are needed to limit patient morbidity and mortality. This multicenter study assesses the efficacy and safety of robotic radiosurgery (RRS) for patients with cavernous sinus-invading adenomas with persistent acromegaly.
Methods:
Patients who underwent RRS with CyberKnife for postoperative acromegaly were eligible.
Results:
Fifty patients were included. At a median follow-up of 57 months, the local control was 100%. The pretreatment insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and indexes were 381 ng/mL and 1.49, respectively. The median dose and prescription isodose were 18 Gy and 70%, respectively. Six months after RRS, and at the last follow-up, the IGF-1 levels and indexes were 277 ng/mL and 1.14, as well as 196 ng/mL and 0.83, respectively (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0002). The IGF-1 index was a predictor for biochemical remission (p = 0.04). Nine patients achieved biochemical remission and 24 patients showed biochemical disease control. Three patients developed a new hypopituitarism.
Conclusions:
RRS is an effective treatment for this challenging patient population. IGF-1 levels are decreasing after treatment and most patients experience biochemical disease control or remission.
