Division of Neurosurgery

Department of Surgery

Halifax Neuropituitary Program

Innovative research and care for neuropituitary tumours

Co-chair, Neurosurgery
Dr. David Clarke

Co-chair, Endocrinology
Dr. Ali Imran

Research coordinator
Andrea Hebb

Team members

  • Dr. David B. Clarke (Neurosurgery; Co-Chair, Halifax Neuropituitary Program)
  • Dr. Ali Imran (Endocrinology; Co-Chair, Halifax Neuropituitary Program)
  • Dr. Emad Massoud (Otolaryngology)
  • Dr. Aditya Mishra (Ophthalmology)
  • Dr. Churn Yip (Endocrinology)
  • Lisa Tramble, RN (Endocrinology)
  • Andrea Hebb, MSc, PhD, RN (Neurosurgery)
  • Raven Glasgow, Halifax Neuropituitary Program Clinic Coordinator

Stereotactic Radiosurgery Group

  • Dr. Liam Mulroy, Radiation Oncology
  • Dr. Dorianne Rheaume, Radiation Oncology

Team collaborators

  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Nova Scotia Eye Centre

This program, unique to the Atlantic Provinces and much of Canada, provides comprehensive care to over 1700 patients with pituitary and sellar region tumours in a multidisciplinary clinic. Patients are seen by both Neurosurgery and Endocrinology. Collaboration with the Stereotactic Radiosurgery Group, Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology ensures coordinated assessment, treatment and follow-up. Monthly multidisciplinary teleconference rounds are held with external sites from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI.

Our program referrals have increased tremendously, with 47 new HNP surgical referrals, to include Newfoundland and 121 new HNP medical referrals, representing a substantial increase in the number of patients seen in previous years.

Mission

Our team is dedicated to providing world-class, innovative care for patients with pituitary/parasellar tumours.

Objectives

  • To provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, patient-focused team.
  • To be leaders in delivering accessible and innovative health care for patients with pituitary disorders.
  • To create an environment that fosters education and research.

Research/program development

In collaboration with a team of researchers, we are continuing to collect sellar/parasellar tumor tissue intra-operatively under the protocol “Functional and Genetic Analysis and Banking of Neuro-Oncological Disease Tissues”. We hope to develop a better understanding of the genetic and functional pathways that confer an increased risk of developing and perpetuating neuro-oncological diseases (NODs), including neuropituitary tumors.

Health Canada Phase III clinical trial “Assessment of the Efficacy of Stereotactic intracavitary instillation of 90yttrium colloid for treatment of cystic lesions of the pituitary and surrounding areas (sellar/parasellar region)” has recruited patients. In collaboration with Dr. Steve Burrell and Dr. George Mawko, we are the first group to use PET to visualize 90yttium colloid within the cyst. An initial manuscript (see below) has been accepted for publication.

Capital Health Research Fund “Non-functioning pituitary adenomas biomarkers” was approved for funding.