PNA Spotlight: Dr. Paul A. Gardner

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. Paul A. Gardner. 

Paul A. Gardner, MD, joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery in 2008 after completing his residency and fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, majoring in biochemistry, and received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Gardner completed a two-year fellowship in endoscopic endonasal pituitary and endoscopic and open skull base surgery. His research has focused on evaluating patient outcomes following these surgeries and more recently on genomic and molecular analysis of skull base tumors. Dr. Gardner has been the neurosurgical director of the Center for Cranial Base Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since April of 2008 and, along with Carl Snyderman, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology, leads a renowned course on endoscopic endonasal surgery three times a year.

His answers are below:

PNA Medical Corner: Artificial intelligence and pituitary surgery

The PNA Medical Corner this month features an article co-authored by neurosurgeon Aaron Cohen-Gadol of Indiana University, a longtime member of the PNA. They conclude that A-I and machine learning will improve preoperative planning and surgical strategies in pituitary surgery, but points out challenges on multiple fronts.

Current status of artificial intelligence technologies in pituitary adenoma surgery: a scoping review

• PMID: 38183582  DOI: 10.1007/s11102-023-01369-6

Abstract

Purpose: Pituitary adenoma surgery is a complex procedure due to critical adjacent neurovascular structures, variations in size and extensions of the lesions, and potential hormonal imbalances. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has demonstrated considerable potential in assisting neurosurgeons in decision-making, optimizing surgical outcomes, and providing real-time feedback.

The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla)

The FDA has approved NGENLA (somatrogon-ghla), a once-weekly, human growth hormone analog indicated for treatment of pediatric patients aged three years and older who have growth failure due to an inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone.

See the Press Release 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 Dr. Paul A. Gardner.

Paul A. Gardner, MD, joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery in 2008 after completing his residency and fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, majoring in biochemistry, and received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Gardner completed a two-year fellowship in endoscopic endonasal pituitary and endoscopic and open skull base surgery. His research has focused on evaluating patient outcomes following these surgeries and more recently on genomic and molecular analysis of skull base tumors. Dr. Gardner has been the neurosurgical director of the Center for Cranial Base Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since April of 2008 and, along with Carl Snyderman, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology, leads a renowned course on endoscopic endonasal surgery three times a year.

His answers follow.

• What inspired you to choose your career path?

The variety of deeply impactful effects of pituitary tumors as well as the intricate anatomy around the pituitary.

• What is the primary focus of your work/research?

Patient outcomes including quality of life; genetic research into the sources of tumors as well as differences between different tumor types; impact of surgery of patients

• What do you consider to be the future of your field?

Refining surgical techniques to lessen impact on patients and understanding the genetics of tumors to provide other treatment options

• What should patients know about your field/what deserves more recognition/awareness?

Pituitary surgery is borne out of practice by multidisciplinary teams of ENT and neurosurgery. This kind of collaboration is not common in medicine but leads to better outcomes and even new approaches.

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

I do my best to understand every person’s story. This helps me apply the knowledge and experience that I have attained over 20 years in practice to that individual to help them best achieve their health goals. This shared decision making allows me to honestly apply my treatments to the utmost of my ability in line with their wishes.

• Why did you get involved with the PNA; what is the extent of your involvement?

I originally became involved after sitting in on a patient support group. I was very impressed with the PNA leadership and passion and inspired to further my work and research with pituitary and similar tumors. I have been involved in the PNA ever since, largely with lectures and promotional support with my and others’ patients.

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda, a Professor of Neurosurgery and the Surgical Director of Brain Tumor, Skull Base and Pituitary Centers at Stanford University. Dr. Fernandez-Miranda did a neurosurgery residency at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. He completed a fellowship in microsurgical neuroanatomy at the University of Florida. He did clinical training in cerebrovascular surgery at the University of Virginia, and in endoscopic endonasal and open skull base surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). He joined the faculty at Stanford earlier this year. He was kind enough to answer some questions from the PNA. His answers are below:

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)

PNA Medical Corner: Cushing Disease and Double Pituitary Adenoma

This month in the PNA Medical Corner we focus on a study coauthored by two members of the PNA: Drs. Adriana Ioachimescu and Nathan Zwagerman. The research is a case study of a woman with two pituitary tumors.

Consecutive resections of double pituitary adenoma for resolution of Cushing disease: illustrative case

PNA Spotlight: Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol

This month the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, a professor at Indiana University Department of Neurosurgery. He is the director of neurosurgical oncology and its fellowship, and co-director of the Signature Center for Brain and Neurological Tumors. Dr. Cohen-Gadol earned his undergraduate degree from the University
of California at San Diego and attended medical school at the University of Southern California. He then completed his residency training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He also completed fellowship training in two subspecialties: epilepsy surgery (Yale University) and skull base/cerebrovascular surgery (University of Arkansas.) In addition, Dr. Cohen holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research from Mayo Graduate School and an MBA from Kelley School of Business. His areas of interest include surgical treatment of complex intracranial tumors and vascular lesions.

He is the founder and president of The Neurosurgical Atlas (https://www.neurosurgicalatlas.com), a multimedia resource for neurosurgical techniques. Dr. Cohen-Gadol was kind enough to answer some questions posed by the PNA. His answers follow.

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)

PNA Medical Corner: Somatotroph Adenoma in a Young Adult

This month the PNA Medical Corner spotlights an article co-authored by a member of the PNA, Dr. Ursula Kaiser, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The case report looks at early onset excess of growth hormone in the context of a somatotroph adenoma in a young adult.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1210/jcemcr/luad030

Early Onset GH Excess: Somatotroph Adenoma in a Young Adult