Annotated List of Useful Articles on Pituitary Disorders

General Information on Pituitary Diseases

Freda, PU and Wardlaw, SL (1999) Clinical Review 110: Diagnosis and Treatment of Pituitary Tumors. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 84(11): 3859-3866.
This article covers the four main types of pituitary tumors, how they should be dealt with and why they are harmful if not treated correctly. The article is written at an easily comprehendible level.

Arafah, BM and Nasrallah, MP (2001). Pituitary Tumors: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations and Management. Endocrine-Related Cancer. 287-305.
This article discusses the different types of tumors and how they should be treated, whether it be a functional or non-functional tumor. It also gives in depth information on the four main types of tumors.

Lamberts, SWJ et al (1998). Pituitary Insufficiency. The Lancet. 352:127-134.
The main focus of this article is on pituitary insufficiency of the main hormones: corticotropin, gonadotropin, androgen, and growth hormone. It discusses pituitary hormone replacement as well.

Colao, A and Lombardi, G. (1998) Growth hormone and prolactin excess. The Lancet. 352:1455-1461.
Growth hormone and prolactin excess are the subjects of this article. It has an emphasis on the long term effects of overproduction of these hormones.

Maddox, DE. and Young, WF(2002). Spells: In Search of a Cause. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 70:757-765.
Maddox and Young concentrate on the different types of spells, including those associated with pituitary disease. They also cover the identification of signs and symptoms of a variety of spells.

Aron, DC. and Howlett, TA. (2000) Endocrine Incidentalomas: Pituitary Incidentalomas. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 29:205-225.
Aron and Howlett discuss case studies of Pituitary Incidentalomas. Included are suggestions for patients found to have an incidental microadenoma.

Laws, ER. Jr. and Thapar, K. (1999) Advances in Pituitary Tumor Therapy: Pituitary Surgery. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 28:119-135.
This article details advancements in the treatment of pituitary tumors.

Robertson, GL. (2001) Neuroendocrinology: Anti diuretic Hormone. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 30:1-20.
This article discusses the distribution and clearance of Arginine Vasopressin and its contribution to the system of regulating salt and water balance in the body.

Prolactinomas

Molitch, ME. (1999)Advances in Pituitary Tumor Therapy: Medical Treatment of Prolactinomas. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 28:143-173.
This article discusses hyperprolactinemia, its effects, means of diagnosis and treatment options.

Molitch, ME. (2001) Neuroendocrinology: Disorders of Prolactin Secretion. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 30:1-22.
Molitch covers the history of prolactinomas, means of diagnosis, treatment options, long-term considerations, side effects of medical therapy, and effects of pregnancy on tumor size.

Cushing's Disease

Newell- Price, John et al (1998). The Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome and Pseudo-Cushing's States. Endocrine Reviews. 647-672. V 19.
This article details how to differentiate between Cushing's and Pseudo-Cushing's. It also focuses on distinguishing between ACTH-dependant and ACTH-independent Cushing's.

Biller, BMK and Meier, CA.(1997) Diagnostic Evaluation Update: Clinical and Biochemical Evaluation of Cushing's Syndrome. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics. 26:741-762.
This covers all tests that should be done in order to determine whether a person has Cushing's Disease or Pseudo -Cushing's. It further expound on how to determine whether the Cushing's is ACTH dependent or independent.

Acromegaly

Giustina, A et al. (1999) Consensus: Criteria for Cure of Acromegaly: A Consensus Statement. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 85:526-529.
This article discusses the reasoning behind doing multiple tests in order to verify that a patient has Acromegaly and the side effects of these tests. After such tests are completed, it goes on to examine various treatment options, including surgery, medical therapy, and radiotherapy and the verification of these cures.

Freda, PU. (2002) Clinical Review 150. Somastatin Analogs in Acromegaly. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 87:3013-3018.
This article discusses the use of the somastatin analogs lanreotide and octreotide in the treatment of acromegaly. It reviews how these drugs are administered to patients and their effectiveness.

Growth Hormone Replacement

1997 Consensus Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency: Summary Statement of the Growth Hormone Research Society Workshop on Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 83:379-381.
The focus of this article is on the effects of Growth Hormone Deficiency in adults. Included is information on how to make a correct diagnosis and how to implement effective treatment options.

Mauras, N and Vance, ML. (1999) Drug Therapy: Growth Hormone Therapy in Adults and Children. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1206-1216.
This article focuses on the effects of growth hormone therapy in treating both adults and children.