Effect of gamma knife radiosurgery on a pituitary gonadotroph adenoma: a histologic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study.
The morphologic findings in a pituitary macroadenoma removed from a 65-year old man by the transsphenoidal approach 9 months after gamma knife surgery are reported. The tumor was immunoreactive for FSH beta and showed ultrastractural features consistent with an oncocytic gonadotroph adenoma. Accumulation of connective tissue separating small groups of adenoma cells was evident. Several dilated vessels and numerous vascular endothelial growth factor immunopositive adenoma cell were noted. By electron microscopy the endothelial linings frequently showed discontinuities with platelet accumulation attached to the gaps. Several vessels were severely injured showing necrosis of endothelial cells. It can be concluded that gamma knife surgery caused severe alterations in pituitary adenoma microcirculation indicating that vascular injury plays a crucial role in tumor shrinkage.
Yamada
Shozo
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. syamadays11@hotmail.com
Vidal
Sergio
S
Sano
Toshiaki
T
Horvath
Eva
E
Kovacs
Kalman
K
D000236:Adenoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000368:Aged; D002196:Capillaries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009336:Necrosis; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016634:Radiosurgery; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A