Intraoperative ultrasound in transsphenoidal surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Intraoperative ultrasound in patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery: A single-site prospective development study
IRAS ID
235058
Contact name
Hani Marcus
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2018/11/48, UCL Data Protection Office Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The pituitary gland is a grape-sized gland that lies at the base of the brain behind the eyes. Pituitary tumours are quite common, and may result in loss of vision, or hormones loss or excess, which in turn can cause changes in bodily functions. The treatment of choice for most tumours of the pituitary gland is surgery through the nose (transsphenoidal surgery). However, some pituitary tumours remain difficult to cure even with surgery; recent studies suggest that about a third of patients undergoing surgery for pituitary tumours will have an incomplete resection.
Ultrasound has become an increasingly widely used tool in surgery, and provides a relatively inexpensive and simple method of real-time feedback. We have developed a forward-viewing ultrasound device to help locate residual pituitary tumour tissue and neighbouring structures intraoperatively.
The purpose of this study is to confirm the feasibility and safety of this new intraoperative ultrasound device and collect the necessary data to create novel software tools for navigation in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0882
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion