title: Stereotactic management of craniopharyngiomas.
abstract: Eleven patients with craniopharyngiomas underwent 13 stereotactic procedures (intracavitary irradiation, n = 7; radiosurgery, n = 6). Nine patients (82%) had recurrent tumors after prior surgery (median, 2 operations). The median patient age was 50 years (range, 6-63 years). At a median follow-up of 38 months (range, 24-102 months), no patient had progression of the treated tumor component. Two patients developed new cysts, so the actuarial 2- and 4-year progression-free survival rates were 91 and 73%, respectively. Visual function improved in 3 patients, remained stable in 6 patients, and worsened in 1 patient. Two patients (both without prior surgery) not having diabetes insipidus pre-operatively continued to have normal posterior pituitary function. Stereotactic techniques should be considered for patients with craniopharyngiomas, especially those who have failed prior surgical resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. pollock.bruce@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Natt
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Schomberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data