Repeated neuroendoscopic palliative surgery in elderly patients with predominantly cystic craniopharyngioma in the third ventricle: three case reports

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The management of craniopharyngioma in the elderly remains controversial. We sought to better characterize the outcomes of elderly patients treated with neuroendoscopic palliative surgery (NPS). Methods: We report the cases of three patients older than 80 years, whose cystic craniopharyngioma was treated by repeated NPS. Results: One male and two female patients, ranging in age from 80 to 83 years (mean=81.3 years) had predominantly cystic lesions in the third ventricle and a suprasellar enhanced mass. Two patients underwent two NPS procedures and the other received three. The operating time ranged from 40 to 140 min (mean=93.4 min), and the interval between operations ranged from 2 to 24 months (mean=11.3 months). The length of postoperative hospitalization ranged from 4 to 28 days (mean=11.1 days). There were no perioperative complications, and all patients experienced symptom improvement immediately after the operation. Conclusion: Repeated NPS can be an effective alternative treatment for cystic craniopharyngioma in the third ventricle, especially in elderly patients.