“Take a few minutes each and every day to ensure that your mind is nourished properly and positively. After all, a healthy mind leads to a happier view of life and with a happier view of life it is much easier to counter the negative impact other issues will have on us.” – Catherine Pulsifer 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Jamie Van Gompel

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on longtime PNA member Dr. Jamie Van Gompel, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Dr. Van Gompel earned a B.S. in molecular biology, biochemistry, medical microbiology and immunology, and then his M.D. at the University of Wisconsin.  He earned a certificate in Clinical and Translational Research at Mayo Clinic, where he also did residencies as a clinician investigator and in neurologic surgery. He then completed a fellowship in skull base and complex cranial surgery at the University of South Florida.  He was kind enough to answer some questions from the PNA.

Tell us about your educational journey.

At the University of Wisconsin as an undergraduate, I did a couple of majors, including molecular biology, immunology and medical microbiology and then biochemistry.  When I found out at college that you could pay the same amount and take over 18 credits, I would load up, so I got all those in four years. In between my undergraduate work and medical school, I worked for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a period of time. I was really interested in infectious diseases, so I worked at the Rocky Mountain Lab in Montana, researching bacteria.  It served as a high-level pathogen facility, much like the one at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.  So, it’s a cool place to work; I really enjoyed it. And then we could go fly fishing at lunchtime on the river. It was fun.

Read More Here

 

Cushing’s Disease and the Role of Multidisciplinary Care

For many patients facing pituitary challenges, the road to a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease can be a long and frustrating one. Symptoms tend to develop slowly, often resembling more common conditions such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, or mood changes. By the time patients learn they have a pituitary tumor, they may have already lived with years of uncertainty.

“One of the key challenges in Cushing’s disease is that it’s very hard to diagnose, and there are often long diagnostic delays,” said Dr. Aditi Kumar, endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic. “The symptoms are very slow in onset, and they may mimic common conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression, or anxiety. And it’s a very rare condition as well.”

Cushing’s disease occurs when a small, benign tumor in the pituitary gland causes excess production of cortisol, a hormone that regulates many of the body’s functions. Because stress and certain medications can also affect cortisol levels, testing to confirm the disease is complex. It often involves blood tests, urine tests, and salivary cortisol testing. The results can be challenging to interpret, making referral to an expert endocrinologist especially important when Cushing’s is suspected.

“Our team at Mayo Clinic has extensive experience with inferior petrosal sinus sampling, a test that can help determine whether excess cortisol is coming from the pituitary gland,” said Dr. Bernard Bendok, neurosurgeon and chair of neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Treatment usually begins with surgery to remove the tumor. “After that, patients must be followed very closely because even after initial surgery, there’s a chance that the condition can recur,” Dr. Kumar said. “It also has a huge impact on the mental and emotional health of patients, so they need a lot of support during the whole process of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.”

At Mayo Clinic, that support comes from surrounding the patient with a diverse team of experts. “Our strength is that we have a multidisciplinary team of specialists to take care of these patients,” Dr. Kumar said. Endocrinologists work alongside neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, and radiation oncologists. Mayo also uses advanced tools such as seven-Tesla MRI, which can detect very small tumors that may not be visible on standard scans.

Advances in surgical techniques have further improved outcomes. “Advancements in endoscopic surgery have significantly enhanced the visualization of the pituitary gland, making surgeries for Cushing’s disease more precise,” said “Additionally, the integration of virtual and augmented reality has revolutionized our ability to incorporate preoperative imaging into the surgical plan in real time. Access to world-class neuropathology is crucial for intraoperative decision-making. The use of intraoperative ultrasound is an exciting new frontier, aiding in the detection of very small lesions,” Dr. Bendok added.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic are also exploring robotic approaches to make surgery even more precise in and around the pituitary gland, further advancing patient care.

Mayo’s high-tech, team-focused approach also helps patients avoid repeated visits and delays. “We try to bundle up appointments so that patients are able to make the most of their visit and that diagnosis and treatment can proceed very quickly,” Dr. Kumar said.

Even after surgery, most patients continue to need close attention. Larger or more invasive tumors may not be able to be completely removed, and Cushing’s disease can recur. This is why ongoing follow-ups are essential. With Mayo’s multidisciplinary team and long-term support, patients can face Cushing’s disease with more hope and clarity, knowing they are not alone in their journey.

For more information or to request an appointment, please visit Pituitary Tumor Care – Mayo Clinic

 

PNA Medical Corner: Sinonasal Quality of Life After Pituitary Surgery

This month the PNA Medical Corner showcases a study coauthored by Dr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda at Stanford University, a member of the PNA. The study finds that patients with functional tumors have a longer period of healing in the sinus cavity, compared to patients with non-functional tumors. 

Laryngoscope
. 2025 Sep 17.
doi: 10.1002/lary.70116. Online ahead of print.

 

Functionality of Pituitary Tumors Impacts Sinonasal Quality of Life Before and After Endoscopic Surgery

Yossawee Wongworawut 1, Peter H Hwang 2, Jayakar V Nayak 2, Robert Dodd 3, Juan C Fernandez-Miranda 3, Zara M Patel 2
Affiliations Expand
• PMID: 40960129     DOI: 10.1002/lary.70116

Abstract
Objectives: Local effects of pituitary hormones in the sinonasal region are not well characterized. We sought to examine sinonasal quality of life outcomes in functional and non-functional pituitary tumors after endoscopic skull base surgery.

Study design: Retrospective Medical Record Review.

Methods: Three hundred four patients who received endoscopic resection of a pituitary tumor at a tertiary skull base center reviewed. This population was divided into non-functional and functional groups. Surgical outcomes and pre and postoperative quality of life scores were examined.

Results: Preoperative total SNOT 22 scores were not different overall between the two groups, but the rhinologic and extra-nasal rhinologic subdomain scores in the functional group were higher than in the non-functional group (3.57 ± 3.95 vs. 2.58 ± 3.64, and 1.48 ± 2.2 vs. 0.92 ± 1.75 respectively) (p = 0.04 and 0.02). Change from baseline in overall postoperative SNOT 22 score was significantly greater in the functional group at 6 weeks post-operation (6.75 ± 17.51 vs. 1.4 ± 16.83 respectively) (p = 0.03). Time to normalization on nasal endoscopy was longer in the functional group compared to the non-functional group (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Corticotrophic and somatotrophic tumors affect quality of life both pre- and post-operation. Patients with functional tumors took longer to reach full healing and normalization of the sinus cavity. These findings can be used to counsel patients about different expectations during the immediate postoperative healing period, but also to reassure them that regardless of tumor functionality, they will be able to reach a good quality of life after endoscopic skull base surgery.

Keywords: pituitary adenoma; pituitary tumor; sinonasal outcome test; skull base; skull base neoplasm.

© 2025 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Count on your Xeris CareConnection™ Team for unparalleled Cushing’s Support

Cushing’s can be challenging, but there is support so patients can feel like themselves again. The main goal of treating Cushing’s is to get cortisol levels back to normal. This Pituitary Awareness Month, Xeris Pharmaceuticals® is highlighting the importance of one-on-one support for patients living with Cushing’s Syndrome and support for HCPs treating Cushing’s Syndrome.

Sign up to get dedicated support:

Patients: Sign up for support | Recorlev® (levoketoconazole)

HCP’s: Connect with Xeris support | RECORLEV® (levoketoconazole)

Have more questions? Call for more support at 1-844-444-RCLV (7258)