SFEBES2018 Poster Presentations Neuroendocrinology and pituitary (25 abstracts)
1Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; 2Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK; 3Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Introduction: Bilateral adrenalectomy (BADx) is a treatment option in ACTH-dependent Cushings syndrome refractory to other therapeutic modalities or can be an emergency measure in cases with severe manifestations of hypercortisolaemia.
Aim: To review the outcomes of our patients with ACTH-dependent Cushings offered BADx.
Methods: Records of patients with ACTH-dependent Cushings managed by BADx and seen in our Department between 1995 and 2017 were reviewed.
Results: Twenty cases were identified; two were excluded due to unavailable clinical data. Fourteen patients (11 females) had Cushings disease (CD) (median age at diagnosis: 21 years (1150)) and 4 (2 females) were considered to have ectopic Cushings (ECS) of unknown origin (median age at diagnosis: 48 years (3654)). Pituitary adenoma was identified in 11 patients (79%) with CD (all microadenomas) and in 1 (25%) with ECS. CD patients underwent BADx after 0 (21%), 1 (14%) or several (65%) transsphenoidal surgeries, radiotherapy (21%) and medical therapies (86%), whilst 3 patients (75%) with ECS had received medical treatment prior to adrenalectomy. BADx was performed via open route in 13/18 patients (72%) and laparoscopically in 5/18 (28%). Surgical complications were documented in seven patients (39%) (6 had open adrenalectomy); 30-days post-operative mortality was 0%. Biochemical cure was achieved in 17 cases (94%). During median follow-up of 10.5 years (126), 2 patients had died (both with CD). Based on clinic review, hypertension had improved in 83% and diabetes in 50% of the patients. Development of Nelsons syndrome was reported in 7 (50%) patients with CD (median interval since BADx 3 years (117)) and none had received radiotherapy prior to this diagnosis.
Conclusions: Our series demonstrate that BADx offers a high rate of biochemical control with no peri-operative mortality and considerable improvement in hypertension and diabetes. Nonetheless, the high rate of Nelsons syndrome requires attention and optimal patient monitoring.