Visual Outcome after Surgical Removal of Craniopharyngiomas

Kim, Yeon Seong; Jung, Shin; Cheon, Hyo Cheol; Jung, Tae Young; Kang, Sam Suk; Kim, Soo Han

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we evaluate visual outcomes after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas and analyze the factors that are considered to affect visual outcomes.
METHODS
This study includes 30 patients with craniopharyngioma, who underwent surgery in this clinic during the last 10 years. The changes of visual function (visual acuity and field) of the patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively, and paired data of this change were compared. Also, the factors that influence on this change were analysed.
RESULTS
Among the 21 patients complaining of decreased vision before the operation, 8 patients were improved (38.0%), and 7 patients were worse (33.3%). However, Four out of 9 patients without any preoperative visual symptoms developed worse vision after the operation (44.4%). The average duration of symptom was 17.2 months in the improved group and 23.6 months in the aggravated group. The tumors recurred in only 5 patients after the gross total resection: Four of them showed the aggravation of visual function after surgical removal and 1 had improvement.
CONCLUSION
After removal of craniopharyngiomas, the overall rate of vision improvement, no change and aggravation are 26.6%, 36.7% and 36.7%, respectively. Aggravation of postoperative visual function is higher in males, children and patients with a longer duration of symptom and the tumor recurres more frequently in patients who complained of worsened vision after surgical removal.