Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

CONTEXT: Secondary adrenal insufficiency is a potential complication of trans-sphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). Most centers test recovery of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis six weeks after TSA but there are no data predicting likelihood of recovery, or the frequency of later recovery of HPA function and hence need for re-testing. OBJECTIVE: To assess timing and predictors of hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis recovery after TSA. DESIGN: Single-centre, retrospective analysis of consecutive pituitary surgeries performed on individuals between February 2015 and September 2018. PATIENTS: One hundred and nine patients were identified who had Short Synacthen Test (SST) data before and at sequential time points after TSA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recovery of HPA axis function at 6-weeks, 3-months, 6-months and 9 to12-months post-TSA. RESULTS: 21.1% of the cohort failed the pre-op SST. Among these patients with pre-operative adrenal insufficiency, 34.8% recovered 6-weeks post-TSA. Among the 65.2% (n=15) remaining, 13.3% and 20% recovered at 3 months and 9 to 12 months respectively. Of the 29% of patients who failed the 6-week SST: 16%,12%,6% subsequently recovered at 3, 6 and 9-12 months respectively. Pre-op SST 30-minute cortisol, post-op day 8 cortisol and 6-week post-op SST baseline cortisol respectively above or below 430nmol/L(15.5μg/dL, AUC ROC=0.86), 160nmol/L(5.8μg/dL, AUC ROC=0.75) and 180nmol/L(6.5μg/dL, AUC ROC=0.88) were identified as cut-offs for predicting 6 weeks HPA recovery respectively. No patients with all three cut-offs below the threshold recovered within 12 months post-TSA whereas 92% with all cut-offs above the threshold recovered HPA function within 6 weeks (OR 12.200,95%CI 5.268-28.255). CONCLUSIONS: HPA axis recovery can occur as late as 9-12 months following TSA demonstrating the need for periodic reassessment of patients who initially 'fail' SST post-TSA. Cortisol levels from the SST before and after surgery can be used to guide which patients are likely to recover function and therefore avoid unnecessary lifelong glucocorticoid replacement.

Original publication

DOI

10.1210/jc.2019-00406

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Publication Date

21/06/2019