Surgical Experience with Craniopharyngioma

Kwon, Taek Hyun; Chung, Yong Gu; Cho, Tai Hyoung; Chung, Heung Seob; Lee, Ki Chan; Lee, Hoon Kap

Abstract

A retrospective review was performed of all patients with craniopharyngioma treated over a 6-year period. Of the 19 patients, 10 were males and 9 were females, with a mean age of 29 years(range 4 to 65 years). Their clinical follow-up periods ranged from 8 to 73 months, with a mean of 33.4 months. Eight patients(42%) were less than 18 years of age. In children, the most common symptoms were relared to increased intracranial pressure(100%), followed by short stature(50%), whereas visual disturbance(63.6%) was most common in adult. Obstructive hydrocephalus was observed in 7 patients(36.8%), and was more frequently developed in cases with larger tumor size and retrochiasmatic location. All patients were underwent for surgical removal and the most of the surgical procedures were carried out by the pterional or subfrontal approach. Total removal of the tumor was achieved in 8 patients(42.1%), and in 6 subtotally removed. Surgical outcome was favorable in 16 patients(84.2%), but 2 patients(10.5%) died in the postoperative period due to the hypothalamic dysfunction. Persistent diabetes insipidus requiring hormonal replacement therapy occurred in 8 patients(42.1%). Recurrence or regrowth of the tumor was observed in 5 patients(29. 4%). Recurrence was related with the extent of surgical resection.