Giant craniopharyngioma: 9-year follow up after stereotactic Yttrium -90 instillation and microsurgical resection

The primary goal in craniopharyngioma treatment is a gross total neurosurgical resection. This paper presents a case with good outcome following a gross total removal of giant juvenile craniopharyngioma. There is a strong relationship between surgical experience in treating these lesions and the probability of total tumor resection without significant morbidity and mortality. The discussion on usefulness of stereotactic instillation of radioactive Yttrium-90 in the tumor cyst and bilateral fronto-orbital microsurgical approach utilized in 12-year-old male patient was conducted. A detailed description of the operative procedure was provided with comparison to other approaches commonly used for giant craniopharingioma. The long term (9 years) and intensive follow up showed good outcome without tumor recurrence. The patient has been receiving lifelong hormones substitution.