Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniopharyngiomas

Abstract

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are challenging tumors that most frequently occur in the sellar or suprasellar regions. The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach is a minimal-invasive technique for managing craniopharyngiomas. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach in management of craniopharyngioma as regard the indications, operative difficulties, post-operative complications and outcomes. Patients and methods: An analytical prospective study conducted on 10 Craniopharyngioma patients treated via endoscopic endonasal, trans-sphenoid approach in Al-Azhar University Hospitals. Follow up of patients done clinically and radiologically over 6 months. Results: The study included 10 patients, 2 (20%) males and 8 (80%) females. Ages ranged from 19 to 60 years (mean age 39.5 years). Gross total resection was achieved in 7 patients (70%). The most common surgical complications in our series were diabetes insipidus (DI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in 5 patients (50%) and 3 patients (30%) respectively. None of our patients suffered from worsening of endocrinological or visual outcome postoperatively. Conclusion: To conclude that endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is an effective surgical treatment for removal of craniopharyngiomas in terms of surgical outcome and tumor control.