Objective: Nelson's syndrome is a rare and challenging neuroendocrine disorder, and it is associated with elevated adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) level, skin hyperpigmentation, and pituitary adenoma growth. Management options including resection and medical therapy are traditional approaches. Ionizing radiation in the form of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is also being utilized to treat Nelson's syndrome. In the current study the authors sought to better define the therapeutic role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in Nelson's syndrome.
Methods: Study patients with Nelson's syndrome were treated with single-fraction GKRS (median margin dose of 25 Gy) at 6 different centers as part of an International Radiosurgery Research Foundation (IRRF) investigation. Data including neurological function, endocrine response, and radiological tumor response were collected and sent to the study-coordinating center for review. Fifty-one patients with median endocrine and radiological follow-ups of 91 and 80.5 months from GKRS, respectively, were analyzed for endocrine remission, tumor control, and neurological outcome. Statistical methods were used to identify prognostic factors for these endpoints.
Results: At last follow-up, radiological tumor control was achieved in 92.15% of patients. Endocrine remission off medical management and reduction in pre-SRS ACTH level were achieved in 29.4% and 62.7% of patients, respectively. Improved remission rates were associated with a shorter time interval between resection and GKRS (p = 0.039). Hypopituitarism was seen in 21.6% and new visual deficits were demonstrated in 15.7% of patients.
Conclusions: GKRS affords a high rate of pituitary adenoma control and improvement in ACTH level for the majority of Nelson's syndrome patients. Hypopituitarism is the most common adverse effect from GKRS in Nelson's syndrome patients and warrants longitudinal follow-up for detection and endocrine replacement.
Keywords: ACTH; ACTH = adrenocorticotrophic hormone; BA = bilateral adrenalectomy; CD = Cushing’s disease; CN = cranial nerve; CS = cavernous sinus; Cushing’s disease; DI = diabetes insipidus; FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone; GH = growth hormone; GKRS; GKRS = Gamma Knife radiosurgery; Gamma Knife radiosurgery; IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor–1; IRRF = International Radiosurgery Research Foundation; NS = Nelson’s syndrome; Nelson’s syndrome; OC = optic chiasm; ON = optic nerve; OT = optic tract; RT = radiation therapy; SRS; SRS = stereotactic radiosurgery; T4 = free thyroxin; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSR = transsphenoidal resection; adrenocorticotrophic hormone; pituitary surgery; stereotactic radiosurgery.