title: Transsphenoidal microsurgery for craniopharyngioma.
abstract: We report on our series of 32 craniopharyngiomas operated on by the transsphenoidal route since 1983. In 15 of 19 patients (79%) with primary transsphenoidal surgery and in 8 of 13 patients (62%) with a transsphenoidal approach following previous surgical procedures, the craniopharyngioma was totally removed. Primary transsphenoidal surgery is a safe and successful procedure for intrasellar and suprasellar infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas. In secondary surgery and in the presence of tumor calcifications the indication for this approach must be considered more carefully. Postoperative posterior pituitary deficiency is a frequent occurrence. Anterior pituitary function usually remains unchanged after surgery except for normalization of hyperprolactinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honegger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchfelder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fahlbusch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Däubler
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Dörr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D013100:Sphenoid Bone; D016896:Treatment Outcome