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Initial visual field as a predictor of recurrence and postoperative visual outcome in children with craniopharyngioma
Min Joung Lee1, Jeong-Min Hwang
1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Initial visual field defects in children with craniopharyngioma predict higher recurrence and poorer outcomes. Early visual field assessment is crucial for managing this pediatric brain tumor.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurosurgery
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Craniopharyngioma is a common pediatric brain tumor affecting the pituitary gland.
- Visual impairment is a frequent complication due to optic pathway compression.
- Predicting recurrence and long-term outcomes remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if initial visual field status predicts craniopharyngioma recurrence in children.
- To assess the association between preoperative visual fields and postoperative visual outcomes.
- To investigate the link between visual field defects and systemic manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 27 pediatric craniopharyngioma patients (≤15 years).
- Evaluation of clinical features, tumor size, and preoperative visual fields.
- Analysis of postoperative visual acuity, visual fields, and recurrence rates.
Main Results:
- 14 of 27 patients had preoperative visual field defects.
- Tumor size did not correlate with visual field defects (P = .15).
- Visual field defects correlated with polyuria/polydipsia (P = .01), higher recurrence (P < .001), and poorer visual acuity (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Preoperative visual field assessment is a reliable indicator for children with craniopharyngioma.
- Visual field status predicts systemic issues, tumor recurrence, and visual prognosis.
- Early identification of visual field defects aids in comprehensive patient management.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of the initial visual field as a predictor of recurrence of craniopharyngioma and postoperative visual outcome in children with craniopharyngioma.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 27 children 15 years of age or younger with craniopharyngioma. Records of clinical features including ocular and systemic symptoms, optic disc findings, and size of the tumor were analyzed according to preoperative visual field. Postoperative visual acuities, visual fields, and recurrence rates were also evaluated.
Results:
Preoperatively, 13 patients had a normal visual field and 14 patients had various visual field defects. The size of the tumor was not correlated with the preoperative visual field defects (P = .15). Preoperative visual field defects were associated with polyuria and polydipsia (P = .01), higher recurrence (P < .001), and poorer postoperative visual acuities (P < .001).
Conclusion:
Preoperative visual field can be a reliable clinical indicator of systemic manifestations, recurrence, and postoperative visual outcome in children with craniopharyngioma.
