Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in the dog. A new technique.

A technique for localizing the canine hypophysis regardless of the shape or size of a dog's skull was evaluated. Using known anatomic landmarks, the approximate location of the hypophysis was estimated, and three small self-threading screws were placed as radiographic markers in the exposed sphenoid bone. A cranial sinus venogram was performed and the hypophysis was outlined by the contrast-filled cavernous sinus. A circular ostectomy was centered over the hypophysis, using the previously placed screws as reference points. The technique was evaluated in eight dogs in a nonsurvival procedure. In seven dogs, hypophysectomy was complete and the ostectomy sites were centered precisely over the hypophysis.