Endoscopic management of craniopharyngiomas: a review of 3 cases

The authors describe the endoscopic management of cystic craniopharyngiomas in 3 cases. This method has been attempted in cystic craniopharyngiomas using a rigid endoscope. The instrument has been described earlier (7-9). All these operations were done under general anaesthesia. Criteria for endoscopic extirpation and removal included type D, E, F classification according to Yasargil (17). All 3 cases fitted in the F category. There were one female and two male patients. In the female patient an aspiration of cyst contents was performed as a first attempt to relieve her hydrocephalus. Two months later recurrent symptomology necessitated a larger intervention. All cysts were opened using the laser, drained by a Fogarthy balloon-catheter, and the capsule removed by forceps. This technique is safe and provides a reasonable alternative to open microsurgery, radioactive isotope instillation, or radiotherapy. In our series we achieved total removal in one case after the second intervention and partial removal in two cases. There was no mortality directly associated with this procedure and the female patient developed severe electrolyte disturbances after macroscopic total removal. Our results suggest that endoscopic of management of cystic craniopharyngiomas is a safe and effective procedure which could be considered as the initial management for cystic craniopharyngiomas of the intraventricular type.