“As I see it, every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself.” – Adelle Davis

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Noa Tal

Noa Tal, MD, is a neuroendocrinologist with the Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.  Dr. Tal graduated from medical school at Tel Aviv University School of Medicine. She did a residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx in New York. Later she completed a fellowship in endocrinology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Her research focuses on improving the understanding of clinical outcomes in patients with pituitary disorders, with particular emphasis on long-term outcomes and quality of life.

She was kind enough to answer some questions from the PNA. Her answers follow.

What is your current position?

I’m a neuroendocrinologist working at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at St John’s in Santa Monica. I see patients with pituitary-related disorders both in the outpatient setting for follow-up visits and in the hospital when they are undergoing surgery.

Tell me about your education.

I completed my undergraduate studies in neuroscience at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv, where I met my husband. I then attended medical school at Tel Aviv University. My husband later pursued postdoctoral research in neuroscience at Columbia University, which led us to move to the United States. I completed my internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, followed by an endocrinology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

Read More Here

The Power of Practice: 3D Modeling for Pituitary Surgery

In fields from music to sports, rehearsal isn’t just skill-building. It’s foundational to success when the moment to perform arrives. The same is true in medicine. For Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons operating on the extremely delicate pituitary gland, practicing before the actual procedure creates familiarity with complex tumors, often leading to more successful outcomes.

That preparation is especially critical because real-life surgery varies from patient to patient. “No two people have the exact same anatomy,” says Bernard R. Bendok, M.D., Neurosurgeon and Chair of Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. “Differences in the pituitary gland, surrounding bone, nearby arteries, and membranes all influence how a surgeon approaches each case.”

To bridge that gap, Mayo Clinic is increasingly using advanced 3D modeling—both physical and virtual—to help surgeons plan and rehearse procedures before entering the operating room.

Surgeons have long used mental mapping to build a three-dimensional understanding of a patient’s anatomy from imaging scans. “A good surgeon is able, after reviewing a lot of scans, to build a 3D model in their mind,” Dr. Bendok explains. “Now, 3D printing takes that a step further.” These models replicate patient anatomy using materials that mimic both soft tissue and bone, allowing surgeons to study and even simulate the procedure in advance.

The benefit is simple but powerful: familiarity. By the time surgery begins, the anatomy is no longer entirely new. Surgeons can recognize key landmarks and confirm what they expected to see. As Dr. Bendok puts it, the goal is to “register what you imagined with what’s actually in the field.”

ENT surgeons play a critical role in pituitary tumor removal during endoscopic endonasal surgery. Dr. Devyani Lal, Division Chair of Rhinology and endoscopic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, says, “Patient-specific 3D models give the team a shared view of the route to the gland, helping anticipate challenges, map key landmarks, and align on the safest approach before surgery begins.”

Beyond physical models, Mayo Clinic is also leveraging virtual reality. Using 3D holographic imaging, surgeons can explore anatomy in an immersive environment, including areas where tissue may be more fragile. “Being very gentle and knowing how to avoid injury becomes paramount,” Dr. Bendok says, especially in cases where scar tissue or distortion makes navigation more complex.

These tools are also used for full-team surgical rehearsals. In some cases, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses simulate entire procedures together, including potential complications. “We integrate these models into surgical rehearsal and scenario simulation,” Dr. Bendok says. “When a complication occurs, you learn how to work your way out of a challenge.” The goal is not just to prevent complications, but to ensure the team is prepared to respond effectively if they arise.

This kind of preparation mirrors other high-performance fields. “The goal of surgery is to be proactive and not reactive,” he explains. Like athletes studying opponents or musicians rehearsing difficult passages, surgeons benefit from anticipating what comes next.

For patients, this preparation can translate into meaningful differences in outcomes. Pituitary surgery often requires removing tumors while preserving the function of the gland itself, which is a delicate balance. Advances in imaging and modeling now allow surgeons to better understand how a tumor has displaced or compressed the pituitary, helping guide a more strategic approach.

“One of our goals is to preserve pituitary function,” Dr. Bendok says. “Understanding that in three dimensions allows you to be strategic about how you remove the tumor.” The result can be more complete tumor removal and better hormonal outcomes for patients.

Perhaps most importantly, these technologies are accelerating the learning curve for surgeons and improving collaboration across institutions. Complex cases can be shared, studied, and even rehearsed remotely, expanding access to expertise.

“My outcomes today are much better than they were 10 years ago. That’s experience,” Dr. Bendok says. “But we can accelerate that by engaging physical and virtual models.”

In the end, what may look effortless in the operating room is anything but. Like a finely tuned performance, it’s the result of preparation, repetition, and precision—before the first incision is ever made.

PNA Medical Corner: PNA Medical Corner: Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma

This month in the PNA Medical Corner we are proud to feature a study co-authored by eleven members of the PNA: Drs. Maria Peris-Celda, Andrew Little, Paul Gardner, Georgios Zenonos, Juan Fernandez-Miranda, Adam Mamelak, Willliam Couldwell, Daniel Prevedello, Nathan Zwagerman, Varun Kshettry, and Jamie Van Gompel. This is the largest group of PNA-affiliated doctors collaborating on a study that PNA staff can ever recall seeing!  The study looks at adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and finds that surgery achieved gross-total resection in fewer than half of patients.

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma: outcomes from a US multicenter registry cohort (RAPID consortium study)

Yuki Shinya ¹, Sandhya R Palit ¹, Maria Peris Celda ¹, Andrew S Little ², Mark A Pacult ², Paul Gardner ³, Georgios Zenonos ³, James Evans ⁴, Juan Fernandez-Miranda ⁵, Adam Mamelak ⁶, Robert C Rennert ⁷, William T Couldwell ⁷, Gabriel Zada ⁸, Albert H Kim ⁹, Julie M Silverstein ¹⁰, Won Kim ¹¹, Marvin Bergsneider ¹¹, Kyle C Wu ¹², Daniel M Prevedello ¹², Nathan Zwagerman ¹³, Stephanie Cheok ¹³, Michael P Catalino ¹⁴, Varun R Kshettry ¹⁵, Michael Karsy ¹⁶, Jamie J Van Gompel ¹

Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 42066361 DOI: 10.3171/2025.12.JNS252065

Abstract

Objective: Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a rare type of brain tumor that affects a wide age range, from children to older adults. Due to the rarity of the disease, existing studies are predominantly limited to single-center or single-surgeon experiences, often lacking statistical power and generalizability. The aim of this study was to address this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of ACP outcomes based on a large multicenter cohort from the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted via the RAPID consortium and assessed patients with histologically confirmed ACP treated surgically between August 2000 and November 2024 at high-volume pituitary centers across the United States.

Results: Among the 359 patients (206 male, median age at primary surgery of 47 years) included in the analysis, 76% underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and 22% underwent craniotomy. Gross-total resection was achieved in 45% and subtotal resection in 47%. Notably, 120 of 311 patients (39%) presented with preoperative hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction. Following all treatments, permanent hypothyroidism was reported in 40% of patients, adrenal insufficiency in 33%, and arginine vasopressin deficiency in 19%. Of 263 patients who underwent primary surgery, radiation therapy was administered in 84 (32%). Progression-free survival (PFS) declined from 66% at 1 year to 31% at 6 years. In the multivariable analysis, independent predictors of worse PFS included subtotal resection (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.11-0.42; p = 0.001), partial resection (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.28, p = 0.001), larger tumor size (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64-0.94; p = 0.009), and tumor extension beyond the sella and suprasellar regions (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.74; p = 0.016). Primary surgery and salvage surgery groups showed comparable PFS.

Conclusions: In this large multicenter cohort study, gross-total resection was achieved in fewer than half of patients and was independently associated with improved PFS. Approximately one-third of patients underwent radiation therapy after primary surgery. These findings provide robust evidence supporting the prognostic value of extent of resection and inform contemporary treatment algorithms for ACP. The high incidence of postoperative endocrinopathy underscores the need for individualized multidisciplinary long-term care. While the retrospective design is a limitation, the multicenter approach enhances the generalizability of these results.

Keywords: RAPID consortium; adamantinomatous type; cohort overview; craniopharyngioma; multicenter study; oncology; pituitary surgery; skull base; surgical outcomes; tumor.

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)

“Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.”

– Bella Bleue 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Yuval Eisenberg

This month the PNA Spotlight shines on Dr. Yuval Eisenberg.  Dr. Eisenberg graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in 2009. He works in Chicago, IL and two other locations and specializes in internal medicine as well as endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism.    Dr. Eisenberg is also affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital Health & Science Center.  He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

What inspired you to choose your career path?

My career path was guided by my interaction with patients and my mentors. The highlight of my medical school training was helping to diagnose a young man suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare genetic disorder causing multiple tumors, including a pituitary adenoma. Listening to his concerns and thinking outside the box, I helped provide him with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan – and started my journey into endocrinology. I have been fortunate to work with excellent clinician-educators in my career. Learning about and observing the care of patients with endocrine-related problems was fascinating and rewarding. The farther I got in my training, the more I realized that endocrinology was my passion and that patients with pituitary disorders would be my sub-focus. Patients with pituitary disease are a unique population who are in need of education, support and reassurance at diagnosis – and they often require long-term follow-up. This allows for time to develop a bond of trust; an aspect of medical practice I thoroughly enjoy.

Read More Here

Safeguarding the nose during pituitary tumor surgery

Pituitary tumors are typically removed through the nose during endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. Although minimally invasive, that approach requires expertise to minimize surgical trauma to the nose. Fortunately, surgeons are using new techniques that help safeguard the nose and maximize patients’ quality of life after surgery.

“The tendency now is to be less invasive in the approach through the nose,” explains Dr. Carlos D. Pinheiro Neto, a Mayo Clinic ENT/head and neck surgeon. “A very aggressive approach can cause chronic nasal crusting and infections, scabbing, decreased sense of smell and taste, and changes in the nose’s appearance.”

In endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery, a small surgical camera and surgical instruments are placed through the nostrils to access the tumor through the sinuses. Mayo Clinic was among the first institutions to extensively research the approach. As initially developed, the procedure involved extensive nasal resection.

“The idea was to create a maximum opening of the sinuses to allow neurosurgeons to reach and remove the tumor from the skull base,” Dr. Pinheiro Neto says. “The nasal physiology and sinus symptoms after the surgery were not a priority — the nose was just a corridor to the tumor.”

Now, Dr. Pinheiro Neto is pioneering surgical techniques that minimize resection of the nasal and sinus structures. One involves leaving intact the middle turbinate, which plays important roles in nasal airflow, warming and filtering air to the lungs, and smelling. Another is using a nasal-floor graft to provide a seal between the nose and brain after tumor removal. The standard procedure when cerebrospinal fluid leaks during surgery involves a nasal septal flap created from the septum — the tissue that separates the nostrils’ two airways.

“Nasal graft is much better for patients. It avoids the exposure of the nasal septum cartilage, so there is less crusting and faster healing,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “Nasal septal flaps can also cause a structural collapse in the nasal bridge and increase the risk of septal perforations. Since changing our paradigm from nasal septal flap for pituitary surgery, our leak rate is 0.1%.”

The new techniques are based on research conducted in Mayo Clinic’s anatomy laboratory. Those lessons are translated to the operating room, where ENT/head and neck surgeons routinely work alongside neurosurgeons to remove pituitary tumors.

“That research has allowed us to achieve the same level of tumor resection and treatment outcomes, but with fewer complications,” Dr. Pinheiro-Nato says. “With time and experience, we have realized it’s possible to preserve most of the nose and still get good space in the back of the sinus for tumor removal.

“This is about improving patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “They can have a nasal procedure but after a few weeks of healing, the nose and nasal physiology, and the sinuses, are as good as ever before.”

Stanford Hosts Pituitary Patient Education Day

Stanford University invites the public to their free pituitary patient education day, to be held both in-person and via zoom on Saturday November 9th, 2024. The event will run from 8am-5pm and will take place in the Assembly Hall at Stanford Hospital.

The course co-directors include neurosurgeon Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda, MD (a longtime member of the PNA), and endocrinologist Julia Chang, MD. Topics to be discussed include the function of the pituitary gland, endonasal endoscopic surgery, cavernous sinus surgery, radiotherapy, Cushing’s, acromegaly, prolactinoma and more.

Click To Sign Up Here

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)

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on endocrinologist Dr. Leena Shahla, director of the Duke Pituitary Center, part of Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina.  The program is listed by the PNA as a center of pituitary excellence. Dr. Shahla graduated medical school at Al-Baath University (in Homs, Syria), did her residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s at New York Medical College, and completed a fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her pituitary focus has grown significantly over the years.   She initiated the pituitary tumor board at the University of Florida, Jacksonville, and later built the pituitary clinic at the University of Arizona, Phoenix. She arrived at Duke this past July.  Dr. Shahla was kind enough to answer a few questions from the PNA. Below is the conversation.

Please tell us about your work at Duke.

At Duke, I am the neuroendocrinologist and medical director of Duke Pituitary Center. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, ENTs, neuro-oncology, and neuro-radiology.  We run a multi-disciplinary clinic. When patients visit for evaluation, they often start with visual field testing, followed by appointments with me and one of the neurosurgeons, all in one place. We all collaborate closely behind the scenes to make the best plan for each patient.

What inspired you to choose this career path?

My interest in hormones and their role in regulating various physiological systems led me to specialize in endocrinology. And then, as I realized the significant impact of the pituitary on the endocrine system, I found the challenge of diagnosing and treating pituitary conditions fascinating, much like solving a complex puzzle. So ultimately, that inspired me to specialize in pituitary disorders.

What is the primary focus of your work or research?

We’re working on a study on the link between hypogonadism and prolactinoma. We are also going to be looking into early diagnosis of Cushing’s and acromegaly.

How has endocrinology evolved since you got into it, and where do you think it’s going?

Medicine today is more advanced than ever.  Especially in my specialty, there have been advancements in pituitary-focused diagnostic tests and new treatments continue to emerge. This progress is especially beneficial for complex cases that previously had limited treatment options. The field is moving forward with studies and clinical trials underway. Cushing’s and acromegaly are rare diseases and often leave patients suffering for years before diagnosis. However, with greater public awareness and improved testing, patients are being diagnosed earlier.

What should patients know about endocrinology? What needs more awareness?

Cushing’s Syndrome and acromegaly deserve more awareness, as many patients go undiagnosed for long periods. Not all cases present with obvious symptoms making it crucial for primary care physicians and other providers to recognize early signs. When patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, treatment becomes more challenging. Raising awareness can guide physicians to screen for Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly or refer patients to endocrinology. This proactive approach can help us identify, diagnose, and treat patients sooner.

What are some of the signs that doctors and patients should be looking for, for acromegaly and Cushing’s?

Both patients and providers should be aware of certain signs and symptoms, although they can be subtle or develop gradually.

For Cushing’s, signs could be unexplained weight gain, easy bruising, muscle weakness, mood changes (anxiety, depression, irritability), uncontrolled diabetes, or hypertension.

For acromegaly, some of signs are facial changes, hand and feet growth (increased ring or shoe size), joint pain and swelling, tingling in hands, jaw changes or pain, and widening of spaces between the teeth.

Early detection of these signs combined with diagnostic tests can help lead to timely intervention and management

What would you like to convey about yourself to your patients?

I believe that the doctor-patient relationship is built on communication, empathy, and trust. I am thorough in my approach, and when I meet patients, especially for the first time, I prioritize listening to their concerns, making sure I answer their questions and explain their conditions clearly so they understand. And I involve them actively in the decision-making process.

Empathy is essential, especially during the diagnosis and early stages of treatment before patients start feeling better. They need support, hand-holding, and understanding because they are often struggling physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is important to listen to their concerns patiently and guide them without getting frustrated. While we may not be able to cure everything, we can keep the disease very well-controlled, allowing them to feel better and supported.

What made you want to get involved with the PNA?

I always wanted to be involved with the PNA because pituitary disorders are not that common, and this group provides invaluable support to patients. My goal is to contribute as much as possible to help patients and community providers recognize the disease early.  Patients must be referred to centers with the right resources for diagnosis and treatment. At the end of the day, we all care deeply about our patients’ well-being.

“Your body holds deep wisdom. Trust in it. Learn from it. Nourish it. Watch your life transform and be healthy.”

– Bella Bleue 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Yuval Eisenberg

This month the PNA Spotlight shines on Dr. Yuval Eisenberg.  Dr. Eisenberg graduated from Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in 2009. He works in Chicago, IL and two other locations and specializes in internal medicine as well as endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism. Dr. Eisenberg is also affiliated with the University of Illinois Hospital Health & Science Center.  He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

What inspired you to choose your career path?

My career path was guided by my interaction with patients and my mentors. The highlight of my medical school training was helping to diagnose a young man suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a rare genetic disorder causing multiple tumors, including a pituitary adenoma. Listening to his concerns and thinking outside the box, I helped provide him with the correct diagnosis and treatment plan – and started my journey into endocrinology. I have been fortunate to work with excellent clinician-educators in my career. Learning about and observing the care of patients with endocrine-related problems was fascinating and rewarding. The farther I got in my training, the more I realized that endocrinology was my passion and that patients with pituitary disorders would be my sub-focus. Patients with pituitary disease are a unique population who are in need of education, support and reassurance at diagnosis – and they often require long-term follow-up. This allows for time to develop a bond of trust; an aspect of medical practice I thoroughly enjoy.

Read More Here

Safeguarding the nose during pituitary tumor surgery

Pituitary tumors are typically removed through the nose during endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. Although minimally invasive, that approach requires expertise to minimize surgical trauma to the nose. Fortunately, surgeons are using new techniques that help safeguard the nose and maximize patients’ quality of life after surgery.

“The tendency now is to be less invasive in the approach through the nose,” explains Dr. Carlos D. Pinheiro Neto, a Mayo Clinic ENT/head and neck surgeon. “A very aggressive approach can cause chronic nasal crusting and infections, scabbing, decreased sense of smell and taste, and changes in the nose’s appearance.”

In endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery, a small surgical camera and surgical instruments are placed through the nostrils to access the tumor through the sinuses. Mayo Clinic was among the first institutions to extensively research the approach. As initially developed, the procedure involved extensive nasal resection.

“The idea was to create a maximum opening of the sinuses to allow neurosurgeons to reach and remove the tumor from the skull base,” Dr. Pinheiro Neto says. “The nasal physiology and sinus symptoms after the surgery were not a priority — the nose was just a corridor to the tumor.”

Now, Dr. Pinheiro Neto is pioneering surgical techniques that minimize resection of the nasal and sinus structures. One involves leaving intact the middle turbinate, which plays important roles in nasal airflow, warming and filtering air to the lungs, and smelling. Another is using a nasal-floor graft to provide a seal between the nose and brain after tumor removal. The standard procedure when cerebrospinal fluid leaks during surgery involves a nasal septal flap created from the septum — the tissue that separates the nostrils’ two airways.

“Nasal graft is much better for patients. It avoids the exposure of the nasal septum cartilage, so there is less crusting and faster healing,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “Nasal septal flaps can also cause a structural collapse in the nasal bridge and increase the risk of septal perforations. Since changing our paradigm from nasal septal flap for pituitary surgery, our leak rate is 0.1%.”

The new techniques are based on research conducted in Mayo Clinic’s anatomy laboratory. Those lessons are translated to the operating room, where ENT/head and neck surgeons routinely work alongside neurosurgeons to remove pituitary tumors.

“That research has allowed us to achieve the same level of tumor resection and treatment outcomes, but with fewer complications,” Dr. Pinheiro-Nato says. “With time and experience, we have realized it’s possible to preserve most of the nose and still get good space in the back of the sinus for tumor removal.

“This is about improving patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Pinheiro-Neto says. “They can have a nasal procedure but after a few weeks of healing, the nose and nasal physiology, and the sinuses, are as good as ever before.”

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)