Pituitary Tumours the Focus of Research Symposium

BY: .

UKZN’s Dr Khaled Elmezughi presented a study titled: “Characteristics and Outcome of Surgically Treated Pituitary Tumours at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban”, during a College of Health Sciences Research Symposium.

Elmezughi said his retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histological features and the outcome of all patients with pituitary tumours treated surgically at IALCH over a five-year period. 

He had reviewed patient charts from 2008 to 2012. ‘Clinical, biochemical and radiologic data were collected before and one year after surgery. Histopathology findings and perioperative complications were recorded,’ he said. 

Results revealed that patients presenting to IALCH had large tumours and complete resection was achieved in a minority. ‘There was low overall mortality but a high rate of post-surgical pituitary hypofunction.’ 

According to Elmezughi, the study will assist doctors to compare South African results with those in the rest of the world and alert health professionals to refer such patients earlier. 

Elmezughi, originally from Libya, joined UKZN in 2011 and is currently working towards his Masters in Internal Medicine (MMed) in the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology as well as completing training towards a sub-specialty in Endocrinology. 

He hopes to go back to Libya one day and assist in the upliftment of their health system.

Nombuso Dlamini