Critical analysis of radical or total removal of craniopharyngiomas in children

ABSTRACT

Total removal of craniopharyngioma in children is one school of surgical treatment of this lesion. This procedure is unsafe and highly risky and should not be regarded as the primary goal of surgery in such cases. 13 children with craniopharyngoinas were treated from January 1975 to January 1995. Total removal was feasible in 5 cases, subtotal or partial excision in 7 cases and only a biopsy was taken from the remaining case. Recurrent tumors were treated by aspiration or subtotal excision. Irradiation was done to 7 cases of partial or subtotal excision, one of them was a recurrence. 5 cases died postoperatively [3 from intraoperative complications, one from meningitis and the last case most probably from endocrinological deficit]. The study aimed in all cases to do total or radical removal. Certain clinical data are presented to challenge and dissuade against the school of total removal of craniopharyngioma