The winners in life treat their body as if it were a magnificent spacecraft that gives them the finest transportation and endurance for their lives.

-Denis Waitley

 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. William Couldwell

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on William Couldwell, MD, PhD, who serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah. He is also a member of the PNA’s Scientific Advisory Panel. He studied at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, majoring in physical chemistry and biology. Dr. Couldwell attended medical school at McGill University in Montreal. He did internship in surgery at the University of Southern California and completed a neurosurgical residency there in 1989. He served as a research fellow in neuroimmunology at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and research fellow in the neurosurgical service in Lausanne, Switzerland. He returned to U-S-C as an assistant professor of neurological surgery in 1991, where he stayed for four years. Later he became professor and chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at New York Medical College, as well as program director of neurosurgical residency in 1997. In 2001 he became professor and chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah. Dr. Couldwell was kind enough to answer some questions from the PNA. His answers follow.

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PNA Medical Corner: Fascia Lata in Reconstructive Neurosurgery

This month the PNA Medical Corner showcases an article co-authored by a member of the PNA, Dr. Varun Kshettry of the Cleveland Clinic. The study concludes that the use of fascia lata in challenging cases of skull base reconstruction is highly effective with few side effects for cases of craniopharyngioma, meningioma and more.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37081750/

Abstract

Background: Multiple methods exist for skull base reconstruction of defects created by expanded endonasal approaches. While the nasoseptal flap (NSF) has been well established as the workhorse of mucosal reconstruction in complex skull base defects in multi-layered closures, a variety of options exist for the inner layer of multilayer reconstruction, including fascia lata (FL).

Objective: To present our experience and outcomes in utilizing FL in multiple ways to reconstruct a wide variety of complex skull base defects

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Featured News and Updates

News Articles April 2026

Pituitary story: 10-year-old pituitary patient honored for bravery

 A ten-year-old Scottish girl has been honored for her bravery as she underwent surgery for a pituitary tumor. Read more:  https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/she-s-an-absolute-star-inverness-pupil-honoured-for-brave-431104/

Teen overcomes Cushing’s Disease

 

A 17-year-old girl in North Carolina is doing well after surgery to remove a pituitary tumor caused by Cushing’s Disease. She is an avid runner who suffered headaches and fatigue before her diagnosis.  Read more: https://www.wect.com/2026/04/01/believe-them-teen-runner-diagnosed-with-rare-cushings-disease-after-years-symptoms/

 

Pituitary story: Cushing’s at age 27

A 27-year-old woman experienced a lack of menses and unexplained weight gain before being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. She had surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida and has returned to a normal life. Read more: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/960-in-her-twenties-yoselin-needed-pituitary-tumor-surgery

 

 

Mobile MRI during pituitary surgery

An article on MSN.com looks at the use of mobile brain scanners during pituitary surgery in Canada.  Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/mobile-brain-scans-sound-like-science-fiction-but-they-re-now-helping-more-canadian-patients/ar-AA1YlZWc

Research Articles

Research Articles April 2026

Pituitary Tumors

Astragaloside IV targets TUBB4B to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of pituitary tumor cells via the STMN1/ERK pathway.

Li J, Qu Y, Zhang W, Yang Z, Zeng Y, Xu J, Xie K, Liu Q.Int J Mol Med. 2026 Jun;57(6):151. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5822. Epub 2026 Apr 3.

 

[Endocrine inactive pituitary microadenomas: current data on natural history and follow-up approaches].

Dzhatieva DN, Pigarova EA, Dzeranova LK.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):98-102. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002198.


[Impact of cabergoline on fibrosis in prolactinoma].

Matsueva IA, Paltsev AA, Guseva KA, Tsoy UA, Grineva EN.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):85-91. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002185.


[Hypothalamic obesity in adults with craniopharyngiomas: prevalence and risk factors before and after neurosurgical treatment].

Klochkova IS, Astafyeva LI, Kutin MA, Konovalov AN, Sidneva YG, Shkarubo AN, Kalinin PL.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):77-84. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002177.

 

Gonadal recovery in men with prolactinomas on cabergoline: 6-month testosterone levels as a predictor of testosterone replacement timing.

Fedai NK, Uzun N, Bostan H, Kizilgul M, Demirci T, Cakal E, Ucan B.Hormones (Athens). 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1007/s42000-026-00766-3. Online ahead of print.


Visual outcomes after pituitary adenoma surgery: Associated factors and longitudinal progression in a prospective single-centre study.

Lozouet M, Saadoun A, Ménard A, Aldea S, Jaoude SA, Heran F, Yavchitz A, Philibert M, Chauvet D.Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28;267:109409. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109409. Online ahead of print.

 

Machine Learning-Based models in prediction of Ki-67 in pituitary adenoma: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

Hajikarimloo B, Mohammadzadeh I, Tos SM, Bahri A, Sabaghian A, Habibi MA.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 1;91(1):118. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04590-y.

 

Pituitary disorders

Recurrent pituitary apoplexy: experience from a national registry and review of the literature.

Biagetti B, Cordero Asanza E, Iglesias P, Camara R, Asla Q, Vicente A, Martinez-Saez E, Sarria-Estrada S, Puig-Domingo M, Araujo-Castro M.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434641. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434641. eCollection 2026.


Post-Traumatic Pituitary Stalk Transection Syndrome.

Albusaidi R, AlHatmi A, Al Shidhani A, Al-Ajmi E.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2026 Mar 7;26(1):230-232. doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.2977. eCollection 2026.


The impact of a non-functioning pituitary adenoma on life – A qualitative study of patients’ experiences.

Al-Shamkhi N, Edén Engström B, Rask E, Anderzén-Carlsson A.PLoS One. 2026 Mar 31;21(3):e0345909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345909. eCollection 2026.

 

Combined surgery and proton radiotherapy in the management of craniopharyngiomas: an update with paradigmatic and challenging case scenarios.

Valeri F, Zoli M, Lillo S, Tengattini F, Colombo F, Pasquini E, Salierno G, Carretta A, D’Ambrosio L, Babaei D, Agosti E, Mattogno PP, Fontanella MM, Lauretti L, Mazzatenta D, Doglietto F, Iannalfi A.Neurosurg Rev. 2026 Mar 31;49(1):331. doi: 10.1007/s10143-026-04258-1.

 

Cushing’s

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cushing’s Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Effects.

Chen B, He C, Han L, Wang H, Ma Y, Wang R, Cai X.Onco Targets Ther. 2026 Feb 6;19:571776. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S571776. eCollection 2026.

 

Symptom management with osilodrostat in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with a Cushing syndrome presentation.

Jamal HF.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Mar 31;4(4):luag039. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag039. eCollection 2026 Apr.


Persistent remission after steroidogenesis inhibitor discontinuation in Cushing disease: a case series.

Mangone A, Sala E, Carosi G, Sindaco GD, Mungari R, Cremaschi A, Petria I, Noschese G, Lotito V, Mantovani G, Ferrante E.Pituitary. 2026 Apr 1;29(2):68. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01668-8.

 

Clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome: analysis of a multicenter registry in Antioquia, Colombia.

Rivera-Martínez WA, Ramírez Castaño MJ, Cruz Calderón S, Díaz Posada NA, Gutiérrez Restrepo J, Román-González A, Aristizábal Henao N, Castaño Ceballos PA, Tobón Ospina CI, Donado Gómez JH, López Pompey N, Builes-Montaño CE.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434078. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434078. eCollection 2026.


Prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Craniopharyngioma Patients Using Non-Invasive Investigations.

Nitya AAV, Ghosh J, Taneja S, Singla V, Kalra N, Dutta P.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jan-Feb;30(1):79-84. doi: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_821_25. Epub 2026 Feb 27.


A proposed classification and scoring system predicting gross total resection of recurrent and residual pituitary adenoma: a retrospective study.

Quan W, Zhao DW, Li L, Chen HR, Wang L, Hu SL, Hu R.World Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28:124958. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.124958. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41912140

 

 

Acromegaly

Meningoencephalitis and secondary pituitary abscess in a 16-year-old patient with gigantism.

Wissa M, Strenger V, Weinhandl G, Braun H, Wolfsberger S, Micko A.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Apr 1;4(4):luag032. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag032. eCollection 2026 Apr.

 

The silent surden: Alexithymia and quality of life in acromegaly patients.

Soltanova L, Aygun AB, Kocaman BB, Muradov I, Taze SS, Turan S, Kadioglu P, Durcan E.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 2;91(1):135. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04606-7.

 

To test or not to test: what we have learnt from 50 years of dynamic testing in acromegaly.

De Marinis L, Chiloiro S, Mancini A, Giambò P, Giampietro A, Bianchi A, Pontecorvi A, Giustina A.Pituitary. 2026 Mar 31;29(2):67. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01649-x.


Acromegaly is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Primary Malignant Tumors: Data from a National Study in Sweden.

Tsatsaris E, Robèrt J, Burman P, Berinder K, Bonelli L, Dahlqvist P, Höybye C, Ragnarsson O, Vouzouneraki K, Åkerman AK, Ekman B, Engström BE.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 30:dgag137. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgag137. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41913644

 

Acromegaly-Physiopathology and etiology.

Castinetti F.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:83-102. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2026.01.001. Epub 2026 Jan 28.PMID: 41912301 Review.

 

Co-secreting pituitary adenomas in acromegaly: Classification, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

Biagetti B, Araujo-Castro M.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:41-57. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.06.002. Epub 2025 Dec 3.


Acromegaly and histopathology.

Caballero GA, Ribalta T, Aldecoa I.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:293-334. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.007. Epub 2025 Nov 13.PMID: 41912298 Review.


New molecular markers of response to medical therapy in acromegaly.

Raventós A, Gil J, Marques-Pamies M, de Pedro-Campos P, Puente de la Vega C, Picó A, Lamas C, Delgado E, Menéndez E, Serra G, Bernabéu I, Villar R, Ferri J, Mariaca K, Martínez R, Marazuela M, Araujo-Castro M, Biagetti B, Jordà M, Valassi E, Puig-Domingo M; ACROMICS investigators.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:265-292. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.006. Epub 2025 Nov 12.

 

Acromegaly and genetics.

de Lapiscina IM, Baquero C, Castaño L.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:235-263. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.008. Epub 2025 Dec 16.PMID: 41912295 Review.

 

Gigantism.

Donato S, Regala C, Marques P.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:195-234. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.005. Epub 2026 Feb 16.PMID: 41912294 Review.

 

Hormonal Health

Male testosterone synthesis disorders: oxidative stress pathways, regulatory mechanisms, potential of antioxidant therapy, and botanical medicine prospects.

Wu H, Jian MT, Ning G, Li BN, Peng AJ, Wang HY, Tang X, Zhou X.Asian J Androl. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.4103/aja2025105. Online ahead of print.

 

From the perspective of prolactin: a view on obesity.

Wang Y, Luo D, Fang G, Ge M, Huang Y, Deng H.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 16;17:1762596. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2026.1762596. eCollection 2026.

 

Gonadotropins Across the Lifespan: Their role in the Neurodevelopment-Neurodegeneration Continuum.

Galbraith JA, Elhassan MZ, Rocha JF, Al Mozani TA, Fredericks CA.Yale J Biol Med. 2026 Mar 31;99(1):199-215. doi: 10.59249/EVST3084. eCollection 2026 Mar.

 

Neonatal Hypopituitarism.

Dayno AN, Crowley J, Bamba V, Bhoj EJK, Shekdar K, McCormack SE.Neoreviews. 2026 Apr 1;27(4):e211-e221. doi: 10.1542/neo.27-4-002.

 

Unconventional Uses of Human Growth Hormone.

Lisbona-Buzali M, Edid-Jaris G, Alegre-Lifshitz A, Mercado-Medrez S, Taniguchi-Ponciano K, Marrero-Rodriguez D, Mercado M.Arch Med Res. 2026 Mar 30;57(5):103412. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2026.103412. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41915988 Review.

 

Comment on: Oxytocin: a neglected hormone in pituitary disease – From function to the diagnosis of a deficiency, resulting clinical relevance, and potential treatment options in endocrinology.

Elia A.Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jun 1;70(3):e260025. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2026-0025.

 

TRH can stimulate the release of two POMC-derived pituitary hormones, ACTH and MSH, in medaka.

Yamakawa M, Gajbhiye DS, Golan M, Kanda S.Endocrinology. 2026 Mar 30:bqag037. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqag037. Online ahead of print.

 

 

 

 

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