[Surgical treatment of childhood craniopharyngioma: clinical analysis of 31 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To study the diagnosis, surgical treatment and outcome of craniopharyngioma in 31 children.


METHODS
The clinical data of 31 children (aged 7-14 years) with craniopharyngioma were studied retrospectively.


RESULTS
Headache, visual disorder and growth retardation were main manifestations in the 31 children. The 31 children were definitely diagnosed with craniopharyngioma by CT and MRI. In the 31 cases, 19 (61.3%) underwent total tumor removal, 5 (16.1%) subtotal removal, and 7 (22.6%) partial removal. After tumor removal, transient diabetes insipidus occurred in 19 cases (61.3%) and long-term diabetes insipidus in 3 cases. Six cases (19.4%) presented hypothalamic injuries after surgery. No patient died after surgery. Five patients (16.1%) had recurrent tumor in a mean follow-up of 32.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma may be based on clinical manifestations and CT/MRI examinations. Craniotomy is a preferred surgical treatment. Proper extent of tumor resection should be determined in order to reduce the tumor recurrence and the incidence of postoperative complications.
Liu
Zhi-Xiong
ZX
Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, South Central University, Changsha, China. liuzxcan@163.com
Liu
Yun-Sheng
YS
Yuan
Xian-Rui
XR
Liu
Jin-Fang
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed