A new technique of endoscopic decompression of suprasellar craniopharyngioma cyst

Craniopharyngiomas represent a unique management challenge. Aggressive surgical management has traditionally been associated with high rates of morbidity. Modern surgical techniques, and increasing practice of subtotal resection followed by radiosurgery, have reduced morbidity and mortality rates. One cause of postoperative morbidity, and indeed mortality, is aseptic meningitis from spill-out of craniopharyngioma cyst contents. We have developed a surgical technique for the management of large craniopharygngioma cysts extending into the third ventricle, to reduce this risk.

We describe a technique of using an epidural catheter, inserted into the working channel of a neuroendoscope, to decompress the cystic portion of a craniopharyngioma cyst before opening the cyst wall widely, preventing spill-out of large volumes of cyst content into the ventricular system.

We have had no cases of aseptic meningitis, nor any complications, from use of the described technique.

We believe that this is a safe and effective technique of decompression and fenestration of large suprasellar craniopharyngioma cysts that reduces rates of aseptic meningitis and the associated morbidity and mortality from this.