Surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas in adults

Thirty-eight patients over the age of 21 were found to be suffering from craniopharyngiomas. According to the clinical symptoms, 8 tumours were of the juvenile type and 24 of the adult type. Thirty-four patients underwent direct surgery of the tumour. Ten were operated on unilaterally and then contra-laterally, as we were unable to remove the tumour in one go. Fifteen of the 24 adult type tumours were operated on radically, and five subtotally. Four patients were given an A-V shunt implant. The best results were obtained with subtotal excisions of adult suprasellar craniopharyngiomas.