Intra- and Postoperative Plasma ACTH Concentrations in Patients with Cushing's Disease Cured by Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

摘要

Background: The optimal treatment of choice for ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas is their complete removal by the transsphenoidal surgical approach. ACTH-producing pituitary adrenomas are, however, often small in size not detectable with neuro-imaging techniques, which may result in difficulties during their surgical removal. With the advent of rapid methods for plasma ACTH measurement, a few neurosurgical centers introduced intra-operative plasma ACTH determinations in peripheral and central blood samples to help improve the outcome of pituitary surgery in patients with Cushing's disease.