The endoscopic extended transsphenoidal approach for craniopharyngiomas.
OBJECTIVE
The endoscope has recently been applied to the supradiaphragmatic transsphenoidal approach, but only case reports dealing with different pathological features have been described. The authors present their experience with this technique in 10 patients with craniopharyngiomas.


METHODS
A pure endoscopic endonasal technique was used. From November 1998 through May 2005, four males and six females with a craniopharyngioma, either purely supradiaphragmatic (six patients) or with a significant suprasellar component (four patients), were treated. The tumors had a mean diameter of 2.9 cm (range, 1-4 cm); four patients had a major prechiasmatic component and six had a retrochiasmatic one.


RESULTS
Seven total, one subtotal, and two partial resections were obtained. Vision symptoms improved significantly in six out of eight patients. Endocrine function did not improve after surgery, and diabetes insipidus was the most frequent deficit, although it was transient in five out of eight patients. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was the most frequent complication and required reoperation in two patients. Postoperative obesity occurred in two patients. No recurrence has yet been documented in the total resection group. The mean follow-up period is 37 months (range, 3-75 mo).


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic technique allows results comparable with the best microscopic series. We think that this technique increases the safety of the procedure because of improved vision. Further studies are required to better define the exact location of the tumor with respect to the arachnoidal plane, the extra-arachnoidal craniopharyngioma being the most suitable for a radical removal using a transsphenoidal supradiaphragmatic approach.
Frank
Giorgio
G
Center of Surgery for Pituitary Tumours, Department of Neuroscience, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Giorgio.Frank@ausl.bologna.it
Pasquini
Ernesto
E
Doglietto
Francesco
F
Mazzatenta
Diego
D
Sciarretta
Vittorio
V
Farneti
Giovanni
G
Calbucci
Fabio
F
D000328:Adult; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020790:Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology