[Importance of catheterization of inferior petrous sinuses in surgical treatment of Cushing's in children and adolescents].

The authors present 12 cases of Cushing disease in children and adolescents. In childhood the course of this disease differs from that in adulthood. The predominating initial signs in children are growth stunting and arrest of sexual maturation. Radiological methods (sella X-ray, CT, NMR) are normal initially in most cases and the diagnosis is confirmed exclusively by hormonal investigations. ACTH determination of venous blood samples obtained by catheterization of the inferior petrous sinuses is essential not only for the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma but also for choice of proper surgical treatment. The optimal method is selective removal of the adenoma. In case of impossibility of this removal (anterior lobe hyperplasia) hemiphysectomy is suggested (with removal of the lateral part of the anterior lobe on the side of greater secretion of ACTH into the inferior petrous sinus. This method is possible only if before the operation catheterization of these sinuses was done and a significant difference of ACTH level was found between the right and the left sinus. This is the reason why this test is essential for selection of proper treatment. Anterior lobe hypophysectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, X-ray hypophysis irradiation are unacceptable for children because of their maiming character making impossible further somatic development and sexual maturation of children.