Using Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound During Pituitary Surgery to Identify Tumors in Cushings Disease and Other Pituitary Conditions

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new imaging technique using contrast enhanced ultrasound during surgery to better identify pituitary adenomas in patients with Cushing disease and other pituitary tumors. This first-in-humans pilot study aims to determine if this approach can help surgeons remove tumors more precisely while preserving normal pituitary tissue, potentially improving clinical outcomes. The study may lead to a larger, multi-center clinical trial if successful. Participants undergoing transsphenoidal pituitary surgery will be divided into two groups. One group will receive contrast enhanced intraoperative ultrasound imaging using Definity microbubbles administered intravenously, with imaging performed in transverse and sagittal planes. The other group will have intraoperative ultrasound without contrast. All participants will also have pre-operative contrast enhanced pituitary MRI and non-contrast intraoperative ultrasound performed as part of their evaluation. During the study, researchers will score and compare the quality of non-contrast ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound, and MRI images to assess their ability to identify pituitary lesions. Participants will undergo standard surgical procedures with added imaging tests, and researchers will monitor imaging results to evaluate the diagnostic value of the contrast technique. The study is observational and will continue until January 2027.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for the Identification of Pituitary Adenoma in Cushing's Disease Compared to Other Pituitary Tumors