NCT07335315 · Mayo Clinic
Evaluation of Intraoperative Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for the Identification of Pituitary Adenoma in Cushing's Disease Compared to Other Pituitary Tumors
What this study is about
This pilot and feasibility study aims to combine recent advances in ultrasound imaging, specifically an endonasal transducer array and contrast enhanced ultrasound, to offer an intraoperative image-guided solution for lesion-specific surgical resection to impact clinical outcome.
View original scientific description
This pilot and feasibility study aims to combine recent advances in ultrasound imaging, specifically an endonasal transducer array and contrast enhanced ultrasound, to offer an intraoperative image-guided solution for lesion-specific surgical resection to impact clinical outcome. Should this imaging approach help isolate specific lesions and prevent surgical resection of normal pituitary tissue in this first-in-humans study, then the results will provide clinical data for a much larger multi-center clinical trial.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST
Contrast enhanced pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Pre-operative contrast enhanced pituitary MRI and non-contrast intraoperative ultrasound.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST
Contrast enhanced ultrasound
Contrast enhanced intraoperative ultrasound imaging with Definity microbubbles that will be activated per the manufacturer specification and administered as a bolus of 0.2 mL of perflutren lipid microsphere intravenously followed by a 10 mL flush of saline. The pituitary will be imaged in the transverse plane for 2 minutes following this bolus. A repeat injection of the same ultrasound contrast dose and saline flush will be performed, and the pituitary will be imaged in the sagittal plane for 2 minutes.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST
Non-Contrast Ultrasound
Intra-operative ultrasound without contrast for pituitary adenomas and MRI
Primary outcome measures
Scoring of non-contrast ultrasound images
Time frame: Baseline
Non-contrast ultrasound images will be evaluated by a board certified neuroradiologists with experience reviewing pituitary imaging. The ultrasound images will be scored on the identification, size, location, echogenicity, and enhancement of any potential pituitary lesions as well as a confidence level in identifying the adenoma (1-5 Likert scale) with 1 being non-diagnostic/poor and 5 being excellent/diagnostic quality.
Scoring of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images
Time frame: Baseline
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound images will be evaluated by a board certified neuroradiologists with experience reviewing pituitary imaging. The ultrasound images will be scored on the identification, size, location, echogenicity, and enhancement of any potential pituitary lesions as well as a confidence level in identifying the adenoma (1-5 Likert scale) with 1 being non-diagnostic/poor and 5 being excellent/diagnostic quality.
Scoring of pituitary MRI images
Time frame: Baseline
Preoperative Research Pituitary MRI images will be evaluated by a board certified neuroradiologists with experience reviewing pituitary imaging. The MRI images will be scored on the identification, size, location, echogenicity, and enhancement of any potential pituitary lesions as well as a confidence level in identifying the adenoma (1-5 Likert scale) with 1 being non-diagnostic/poor and 5 being excellent/diagnostic quality.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of Cushing disease or required resection for non-corticotroph adenomas
- Agree to transsphenoidal resection.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who are unable to consent (or if their legal guardian/representative decline to consent)
- Patients who have known or suspected hypersensitivity to microbubble contrast agents or its components such as polyethylene glycol (PEG).
- Women of child-bearing potential with a positive pregnancy test prior to procedure.
- Patients who have right to left, bi-directional, or transient right to left cardiac shunts.
- Patients who have hypersensitivity to perflutren. For Non-Contrast Based Protocol: Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients undergoing any pituitary surgery with the study designated neurosurgeons.
- Patients whose procedures require the use of an intra-operative BK ultrasound without contrast. Exclusion Criteria: • Patients who are unable to consent (or if their legal guardian/representative decline to consent)
Where
- Rochester, Minnesota
Collaborators
American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, GE Healthcare, Lantheus Medical Imaging
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jan 13, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations