Pituitary Stalk Lesion Sampling by Transsphenoidal Posterior Lobe Biopsy: A Case Series
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Objective: This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of performing posterior lobe pituitary biopsy in patients with pituitary stalk lesions compared with direct stalk biopsy. Design: We performed a single-institution retrospective review of four patients who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery of the posterior pituitary lobe for a lesion of the pituitary stalk without clear diagnosis, despite noninvasive workup. Participants: Four patients with known pituitary stalk lesions who underwent posterior pituitary biopsy without tumor resection. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcomes were postprocedural endocrine function across all axes compared with preoperative function, postprocedural morbidities, and ability to obtain an accurate histologic diagnosis from biopsy. Results: A total of 100% (4/4) patients were histologically diagnosed based on tissue from transsphenoidal biopsy of the posterior lobe. There was no worsening of preoperative endocrine function. One patient experienced a cerebrospinal fluid leak. There were no other postoperative complications. None of the patients experienced worsening of vision attributable to biopsy. Conclusion: Transsphenoidal posterior lobe biopsy has a low-risk profile and high diagnostic capacity in patients presenting with a lesion of the pituitary stalk of uncertain etiology.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2620-3407
Institutions: University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4410733986