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Biomedical subjects

J Hardy

Publications and source records attributed to J Hardy.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

Pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease. A histologic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical study.

Twenty-two pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease were removed by transsphenoidal surgery. In six patients the pituitary tumor had become manifest following adrenalectomy (Nelson's syndrome). Sixteen tumors were microadenomas measuring from 2 to 9 mm, while two were diffuse invasive adenomas verified at postmortem examination. Light microscopy showed that the tumors were made of basophillic cells containing PAS-positive granules that stained blue with Herlant tetrachrome and lead hematoxylin. Immunocytochemical studies showed that the granules stained positively with antiserum to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or to beta-lipotropic hormone (beta-LPH) and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex. Electron microscopic study of the tumor cells showed ACTH and beta-LPH containing granules varying in size, shape, and amount. Perinuclear bundles of 70 A microfilaments constituted a specific ultrastructural finding.

Adenoma↗

Cure of Cushing's disease by transsphenoidal removal of a microadenoma from a pituitary gland despite a radiographically normal sella turcica.

A 37-year-old woman had symptoms of Cushing's disease for two years. Galactorrhea was present. The diagnosis was confirmed by finding intermittently elevated urinary 17-hydroxysteroids, absent circadian rhythm, and elevated plasma ACTH. Plasma prolactin was slightly elevated. Films of the sella turcica were normal. A 9 mm basophilic microadenoma was removed by the transphenoidal approach. Immunocytochemical and electron-microscopic studies showed that the tumor was composed exclusively of ACTH secreting cells. Endocrine re-evaluation one year later revealed normal adrenal function. Serum prolactin had returned to normal. This case provides further evidence that Cushing's disease can be caused by a pituitary microadenoma insufficient in size to deform the sella.

Adenoma, Basophil↗

Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy: a laboratory approach and commentary.

A laboratory technique for learning and practicing the transsphenoidal approach to hypophysectomy is described. The procedure utilizes a sphenoid block with the sella turcica at its center taken from a cadaver skull. The laboratory approach stimulates the operative technique, including the use of standard instruments designed for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Commentary on the historical background and applications of the transsphenoidal approach to the sella turcica is presented.

Humans↗

Prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenomas.

Prolactin-secreting pituitary microadenomas have been surgically selectively removed in 20 patients presenting an amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome, hyperprolactinemia and radiological modifications of the sella turcica. In these patients, the sella was of normal size but hypocyloidal tomography evidenced subtle changes characterizing pituitary microadenomas. The surgical intervention has been based on the twin criteria of hyperprolactinemia and sellar findings.

Adenoma↗

Transsphenoidal neurosurgery of intracranial neoplasm.

Because of the benign, rapid, and nontraumatizing nature of the extracranial transsphenoidal approach to the base of the skull, this procedure is indicated as the method of choice in nearly all cases of surgery for pituitary fossa and parasellar region access. Some of the largest pituitary chromophobe adenomas with voluminous suprasellar expansion have been successfully excised from below, as well as some calcified tumors, craniopharyngiomas, Rathke's pouch cysts, chordomas, chondromas, and meningiomas. At the other extreme, the smallest intrapituitary microadenomas (as little as 3 mm in diameter) were selectively removed under optic magnification with the surgical microscope. This method is now the most appropriate for the treatment of oversecreting pituitary disorders, even with normal-sized sella turcica (acromegaly - Cushing -galactorrhea). Early detection of intrapituitary microadenoma allows achievement of its selective excision with preservation of the normal gland. Thus, the ideal goal can be achieved by immediate biological cure of hyperpituitarism with preservation of other pituitary functions, resulting in normal physiological eupituitarism.

Acromegaly↗

[Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in metastasizing breast cancers. Experience from 160 cases].

160 patients suffering from advanced metastatic cancer of the breast had transsphenoidal open surgical hypophysectomy. Mortality (1,8 p.cent) and morbidity were extremely low in view of the general conditions of the patients. Immediate relief of pain due to bone metastasis was obtained in 92 p.cent of cases. Such results emphasized the important point of achieving total hypophysectomy.

Adult↗