Results of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in 52 dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH).

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study to evaluate the results (survival and disease-free interval, remission, recurrence) and complications of microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy by clinical follow-up, computed tomography (CT), and urinary corticoid-to-creatinine (C/C) ratios in dogs with PDH. The effect of surgical experience was investigated by comparing results of hypophysectomy cases 1 through 26 and 27 through 52.

ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: 52 dogs with PDH.

RESULTS: Preoperative CT enabled accurate assessment of pituitary size (24 nonenlarged and 28 enlarged) and localization relative to intraoperative anatomic landmarks. Treatment failures included procedure-related mortalities (five dogs) and incomplete hypophysectomies (four dogs). The 1-year estimated survival rate was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71% to 92%). The 2-year estimated survival rate was 80% (95% CI, 65% to 90%). In 43 dogs, the hyperadrenocorticism went into remission. Hyperadrenocorticism recurred in five dogs. The 1-year estimated relapse-free fraction was 92% (95% CI, 76% to 97%). The main complications were transient, mild, postoperative hypernatremia; transient reduction or cessation of tear production (25 eyes in 18 dogs); permanent (five dogs) or prolonged (nine dogs) diabetes insipidus; and secondary hypothyroidism. Normal tear production had resumed in all but one case after a median period of 10 weeks. In the second case series (27 through 52), the hospitalization period was shorter, the number of dry eyes fewer, the survival fraction greater, and the postoperative mortality lower than in the first series. In 15 dogs in which remission was obtained, postoperative CT images suggested the presence of small pituitary remnants; in 1 of these, hyperadrenocorticism recurred. In 46 dogs, the histological diagnosis was pituitary adenoma.

CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in dogs with PDH is an effective method of treatment in specialized veterinary institutions having access to advanced pituitary imaging techniques. Postoperative CT findings do not correlate well with remission or subsequent recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The neurosurgeon performing hypophysectomies must master a learning curve and must be familiar with the most frequent complications of the operation to recognize them as early as possible and to treat them immediately and effectively. Urinary C/C ratios are sensitive indicators for the assessment of remission and recurrence of hyperadrenocorticism.