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Perioperative management of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in patients with pituitary adenomas: an A ustralasian survey
Author(s) -
Joseph S. P.,
Ho J. T.,
Doogue M. P.,
Burt M. G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02582.x
Subject(s) - medicine , glucocorticoid , perioperative , hypophysectomy , adrenalectomy , pituitary gland , hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis , adrenal crisis , cortisol awakening response , insulin tolerance test , adrenal insufficiency , endocrinology , hydrocortisone , surgery , hormone , insulin , insulin resistance , insulin sensitivity
Background There is limited consensus regarding optimal glucocorticoid administration for pituitary surgery to prevent a potential adrenal crisis. Aim To assess the investigation and management of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal ( HPA ) axis in patients undergoing trans‐sphenoidal hypophysectomy in A ustralasia. Methods A questionnaire was sent to one endocrinologist at each of 18 centres performing pituitary surgery in A ustralasia. Using hypothetical case vignettes, respondents were asked to describe their investigation and management of the HPA axis for a patient with a: non‐functioning macroadenoma and intact HPA axis, non‐functioning macroadenoma and HPA deficiency and growth hormone secreting microadenoma undergoing trans‐sphenoidal hypophysectomy. Results Responses were received from all 18 centres. Seventeen centres assess the HPA axis preoperatively by measuring early morning cortisol or a short synacthen test. Preoperative evaluation of the HPA status influenced glucocorticoid prescription by 10 centres, including 2/18 who would not prescribe perioperative glucocorticoids for a patient with a macroadenoma and an intact HPA axis. Tumour size influenced glucocorticoid prescribing patterns at 7/18 centres who prescribe a lower dose or no glucocorticoids for a patient with a microadenoma. Choice of investigations for definitive postoperative assessment of the HPA axis varied with eight centres requesting an insulin tolerance test, four centres a 250 µg short synacthen test and six centres requesting other tests. Conclusions There is wide variability in the investigation and management of perioperative glucocorticoid requirements for patients undergoing pituitary surgery in Australasia. This may reflect limited evidence to define optimal management and that further well‐designed studies are needed.