Reversible "brain atrophy" in patients with Cushing's disease

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Živko Gnjidić
• Author: Tomislav Sajko
• Author: Nenad Kudelić
• Author: Maša Malenica
• Author: Branka Vizner
• Author: Milan Vrkljan
• Author: Josip Hat
• Author: Zoran Rumboldt
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

During the past 25 years, we came across 60 patients with corticotroph pituitary adenomas and Cushing's disease. Neuroradiological examination showed prominent volume loss of the brain parenchyma, unexpected for the patient's age. This "brain atrophy" appeared to regress after surgical removal of pituitary adenoma and normalization of cortisol level. Observed difference between degree of "brain atrophy" in the Cushing's disease group and in the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The degree of "brain atrophy" correlated well with the duration of Cushing's disease. Partial reversibility of "brain atrophy" was noticed during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year after surgery and normalization of cortisol level. Increased cortisol level is one of the causative factors in pathogenesis of "brain atrophy". Loss of brain volume is at least partially reversible after normalization of cortisol levels.

Abstract (croatian)

Unazad 25 godina liječili smo 60 pacijenata sa kortikotropnim adenomima hipofize i Cushingovom bolesti. Neuroradiološko snimanje pokazalo je značajan gubitak volumena moždanog parenhima, neočetkivan za pacijentovu dob. Izgleda da ta »moždana atrofija« regredira nakon kirurškog odstranjenja adenoma hipofize i normalizacije razine kortizola. Razlika u utvrđenoj razini »atrofije mozga« u Cushingovoj bolesti i u kontrolnoj skupini je statistički značajna (p<0,001). Stupanj »moždane atrofije« korelira dobro sa trajanjem Cushingove bolesti. Djelomično povlačenje »atrofije mozga« primijećeno je dvije, tri i četiri godine nakon kirurškog liječenja i normalizacije razine kortizola. Povišena razina kortizola je jedan od uzročnih faktora u patogenezi »moždane atrofije«. Smanjenje volumena mozga je djelomično reverzibilno nakon normalizacije razine kortizola.

• Keywords (english): ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma - complications - pathology; Adenoma - complications - pathology; Brain - pathology; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion - etiology - pathology; Adolescent; Adult; Atrophy; Child; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 1165-1170
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:443495
• Publication: 2008-12
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/34303
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 11:12:04