Feasibility of Endosphenoidal Coil Placement for Imaging of the Sella During Transsphenoidal Surgery

Tumors of the pituitary gland comprise up to 20% of all brain tumors. The central location and the small size of the pituitary gland make the management of tumors particularly challenging. Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) to resect pituitary tumors is highly successful at achieving complete cure for functional pituitary adenomas. It is most successful when such adenomas can be localized by preoperative MRI of the pituitary. However, in some instances, small functional tumors cannot be visualized. In the case of Cushing s disease (CD), such non-visualization may be as high as 50%. The success of transsphenoidal surgery is substantially reduced in patients with negative MRI, as some of the adenomas that cause CD are so small that they are difficult to find during surgical exploration of the pituitary. Surgical success is also diminished when tumors invade the walls of the cavernous sinus. MRI of the pituitary lacks imaging resolution to detect such invasion and so the surgeon cannot perform a complete resection with surgery based on the preoperative MRI.

Signal to noise ratio (SNR) is the primary constraint on achieving high quality high resolution MRI images. SNR can be improved by longer scan times or by increasing the field strength of the MRI magnet. SNR is proportional to the square of imaging time, however, long imaging times are not clinically feasible. SNR is linearly proportional to field strength, however, replacing MRI magnets is cost prohibitive.

Another strong determinant of SNR is the proximity of the MRI receiver coil to the tissue being imaged. Placement of a coil in close proximity to the structure of interest dramatically increases SNR, often as much as 10-fold. Clinically this is routinely put into practice for superficial body parts, such as the temporomandibular joints, in which small coils are placed directly over the joints to achieve rapid high-resolution imaging. For deep structures, the use of superficial coils is of no benefit. This has led to the development of endocavitary coils, such as the endorectal coil used to image the prostate gland. Such coils are now in routine clinical use here at the NIH and elsewhere.

During routine TSS, the surgical approach to the pituitary provides a route for placement of imaging tools, such as handheld ultrasound and Doppler probes in close proximity to the gland. Extending this model to MRI imaging, we realized that an endocavitary surface coil within the sphenoid sinus will allow for a marked improvement in SNR for imaging the sella. To this end, we have developed an endosphenoidal coil (ESC), demonstrated its MRI safety, and performed preliminary studies in cadaver heads to determine that the ESC can be placed through the transsphenoidal approach. Placement of ESC needs no modification in the surgical TSS approach to the pituitary gland. The goal of this protocol is to examine the safety and feasibility of ESC placement and imaging during TSS.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Pituitary Neoplasm
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: ESC

Detailed Description

Tumors of the pituitary gland comprise up to 20% of all brain tumors. The central location and the small size of the pituitary gland make the management of tumors particularly challenging. Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) to resect pituitary tumors is highly successful at achieving a complete cure for functional pituitary adenomas. It is most successful when such adenomas can be localized by preoperative MRI of the pituitary. However, in some instances, small functional tumors cannot be visualized. In the case of Cushing s disease (CD), such non-visualization may be as high as 50%. The success of transsphenoidal surgery is substantially reduced in patients with negative MRI, as some of the adenomas that cause CD are so small that they are difficult to find during surgical exploration of the pituitary. Surgical success is also diminished when tumors invade the walls of the cavernous sinus. MRI of the pituitary lacks imaging resolution to detect such invasion, so the surgeon cannot perform a complete resection with surgery based on the preoperative MRI.

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is the primary constraint on achieving high-quality high-resolution MRI images. SNR can be improved by longer scan times or by increasing the field strength of the MRI magnet. SNR is proportional to the square of imaging time. However, long imaging times are not clinically feasible. SNR is linearly proportional to field strength. However, replacing MRI magnets is cost- prohibitive.

Another strong determinant of SNR is the proximity of the MRI receiver coil to the tissue being imaged. Placement of a coil in close proximity to the structure of interest dramatically increases SNR, often as much as 10-fold. Clinically this is routinely put into practice for superficial body parts, such as the temporomandibular joints, in which small coils are placed directly over the joints to achieve rapid high-resolution imaging. For deep structures, the use of superficial coils is of no benefit. This has led to the development of endocavitary coils, such as the endorectal coil used to image the prostate gland. Such coils are now in routine clinical use here at the NIH and elsewhere.

During routine TSS, the surgical approach to the pituitary gland provides a route for the placement of imaging tools, such as handheld ultrasound and Doppler probes in close proximity to the gland. Extending this model to MRI imaging, we realized that an endocavitary surface coil within the sphenoid sinus would allow for a marked improvement in SNR for imaging the sella. To this end, we have developed an endosphenoidal coil (ESC), demonstrated its MRI safety, and performed preliminary studies in cadaver heads to determine that the ESC can be placed through the transsphenoidal approach. The placement of ESC needs no modification in the surgical TSS approach to the pituitary gland. The goal of this protocol is to examine the safety and feasibility of ESC placement and imaging during TSS.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using ESC during TSS.

Study Population

The study population will be up to 70 adult subjects with pituitary tumors that require TSS. Enrollment will be completed once 50 subjects have received the study procedure. The requested accrual ceiling of 70 subjects accounts for screening failures and drop-outs who do not receive the study procedure.

Design

This is a pilot study of 50 subjects requiring TSS for pituitary lesions. The subjects will undergo standard TSS resection of a pituitary adenoma in the intra-operative MR suite. Following the standard surgical approach, the ESC will be placed into the sphenoid sinus while the bone of the sellar floor is still intact. Routine clinical pituitary imaging with and without intravenous contrast will be performed for comparison with standard pituitary imaging. Additional higher-resolution sequences will be performed as time allows. Following imaging, standard surgical resection will be performed. The surgeon will not view scans arising from the research procedure, and therefore intraoperative clinical decision-making will not be influenced by the results of the research imaging.

Changes in study design since inception. This trial was initiated in 2019. For the initial period, the outcome measures were listed as such:

Primary Outcome Measure: The primary outcome of this study is the feasibility of using ESC as a clinical tool during transsphenoidal surgery. Feasibility will be assessed by the time added to a standard TSS procedure (measured from the time the TSS exposure is completed to the time to return to the operating position for completion of surgery).

Safety Outcome Measure: We will evaluate the safety of the ESC as a surgical adjunct tool. We will evaluate whether the use of ESC causes local trauma, bleeding, burns or other unanticipated safety issues during TSS.

Exploratory Outcome Measures: Clinical utility of these images will be evaluated by comparing SNR and contrast to noise ratio (CNR)

measurements obtained with the ESC to preoperative standard of care images.

By the July 2022, 10 participants had enrolled and completed the study. Based on the initial experience, the study outcomes were re-enumerated as below in December 2022. Of note, there were no changes in the objectives of the clinical trial - feasibility, safety and exploratory objectives remain unchanged. In June 2023, the upper age limit was changed to 85 years from 65 years of age.

Outcome Measures:

Primary Outcome Measure

Preliminary analysis of the data generated so far revealed that the ESC is well-designed to fit within the surgical workflow. However, the utility of ESC imaging was limited within the parameters of the standard sequences. Depending on the specific clinical indication for TSS, we found that the ESC could have differing roles as a surgical adjunct. For the current amended trial, the feasibility of ESC will be evaluated as follows:

1. For microadenomas (pituitary adenomas smaller than 10 mm in diameter), the ability of ESC to confirm the location and size of adenomas.
2. For macroadenomas (pituitary adenomas larger than 10 mm in diameter), the ability of ESC to detect invasion of the cavernous sinus and/or parasellar structures (structures surrounding the pituitary gland).
3. For MRI-negative cases, the ability to detect adenomas.

Safety Outcome Measure

We will evaluate the safety of the ESC as a surgical adjunct tool. We will evaluate whether the use of ESC causes local trauma, bleeding, burns or other unanticipated safety issues during TSS.

Exploratory Outcome Measures

Clinical utility of these images will be evaluated by comparing SNR and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) measurements obtained with the ESC to preoperative standard of care images.

1. Pituitary SNR with ESC MRI versus pre-operative standard of care images.
2. Pituitary to tumor Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) with ESC MRI versus pre-operative standard of care images.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 70
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Prashant Chittiboina, M.D.; Phone Number: (301) 496-2921; Email: prashant.chittiboina@nih.gov
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Christina P Hayes, C.R.N.P.; Phone Number: (301) 496-2921; Email: christi.hayes@nih.gov

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • Recruiting
      • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
      • Contact: For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR); Phone Number: TTY8664111010 800-411-1222; Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

• INCLUSION CRITIERIA:

Adult subjects (more than 18 years of age) will be included in this study if they:

1. Have a known or suspected tumor of the pituitary gland that requires surgical resection through a transsphenoidal approach. There is no size restriction. Invasion of surrounding anatomical structures by the pituitary tumor will not be ground for screen failure/withdrawal from study.
2. Are enrolled in 03-N-0164, Evaluation and Treatment of Neurosurgical Disorders. If not enrolled, subjects will not be able to be included in the study as clinical and research procedures are done under the 03-N-0164 protocol.
3. Are able to provide written consent.
4. NIH employees are included in the study.

EXCLUSION CRITIERIA:

Subjects will be excluded from this study if they:

1. Are unable to fit the intra-operative MRI table due to size or weight restrictions i.e morbid obesity. Patients will be anaesthetized and therefore claustrophobia will not be ground for screen failure/withdrawal from study.
2. Have an absolute contraindication to MRI imaging or MRI contrast agent according to Rad&IS screening including devices or conditions.
3. Have a variant anatomy which may, in the judgment of the operating neurosurgeon, add unacceptable risk to the placement of the endosphenoidal coil (e.g. small size of facial bones and nasal passages, unaerated sphenoid sinus etc.).
4. Are pregnant or nursing.
5. Patients older than 85 years of age. Cushing disease is rare in the older population.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Device Feasibility
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1; ENDOSPHENOIDAL COIL	Other: ESC; USE OF ENDOSPHENOIDAL COIL (ESC) TO OBTAIN MRI IMAGING OF THE PITUITARY GLAND

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Safety of ESC as an Intraoperative Adjunct Tool	We hypothesize that using ESC is safe for patients undergoing TSS. We will monitor for adverse events that may arise due to the insertion, use and removal of the ESC. The surgical corridor will be monitored for bleeding, burns, physical trauma or impingement during insertion of ESC (by direct observation) and during imaging (via video feed), and after removal of the ESC (by direct observation). The adverse events will be graded as follows: Grade 0 uneventful deployment of the ESC; Grade I adverse events due to ESC deployment without any intra-operative consequences; Grade II adverse events due to ESC deployment needing surgical interventions (e.g. control of bleeding, modification of surgical approach, need for blood transfusion etc.) or burn injuries needing surgical management; Grade III severe adverse events due to ESC deployment needing immediate termination of the surgical procedure or permanent physical/neurologic injury due to impingement.	Ongoing
Feasibility of ESC as a Clinical Tool	Clinical utility will be evaluated by a board certified neuroradiologist. The utility measure is a binary outcome measure (yes/no). The neuroradiologist will also make additional subjective observations about the image quality, image resolution, imaging artifacts and image noise. For patients with microadenomas, the primary outcome measure will be the accuracy of the ESC in detecting previously detected microadenomas. A positive outcome measure will be denoted if a possible microadenoma is detected with the ESC in the same location as detected by pre-operative MRI imaging. For patients with pituitary macroadenomas, the primary outcome will be detection of invasion of the cavernous sinus and ability to detect intra-tumoral heterogeneity. For patients with MRI negative pituitary disease, the primary outcome measure will be the ability to detect adenomas. At the conclusion of enrollment, all images will be reviewed by an independent board-certified neuroradiologist.	Ongoing

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Evaluate whether the use of ESC causes local trauma, bleeding, burns or other unanticipated safety issues during TSS.	Study Completion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Prashant Chittiboina, M.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 9, 2019
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 18, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 18, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): September 19, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 29, 2026
• Last Verified: April 20, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pituitary Adenoma; Pituitary Tumors; pituitary surgery; Transsphenoidal Surgery
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Nervous System Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Hypothalamic Diseases; Hypothalamic Neoplasms; Supratentorial Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 180133; 18-N-0133

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: We do plan to share IPD. We will share all IPD that results in a publication on a public repository, as required by most journals. The data will be de-identified and anonymized.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No