[Prognosis after total removal of craniopharyngiomas via the frontobasal interhemispheric approach]

Prognosis after total removal of craniopharyngiomas via the frontobasal interhemispheric approach is reviewed. Seventeen patients with craniopharyngiomas were operated on in Sapporo Medical University Hospital between January, 1985 and December, 1993. In eleven patients, lamina terminalis was incised and in the last six patients, it was left intact. Tumors were completely resected in all patients. After removal of the tumor, hypothalmic--pituitary functions, visual functions and psychometric functions were examined. Two of the 17 cases showed hypernaturemia and fourteen (82%) had permanent DI. Fourteen patients are receiving DDAVP and all are receiving endocrine replacement. Of fourteen patients who had disturbance of their visual acuity, nine (64%) improved. Five of six patients (83%) who presented visual field defect showed improvement in their deficits. Thirteen patients had a psychometric assessment at the time of follow-up examination. Full-scale intelligence quotient scores were distributed as follows: three above 120, five between 90 and 109, three between 70 and 79 and two below 69. Four (32%) had some impairment of memory. Concerning the QOL after total removal of craniopharyngiomas via the frontobasal interhemispheric approach, thirteen patients (76%) are leading normal lives, and three (18%) are leading nearly normal lives but require some help to overcome mild deficits. One (6%) has suffered a significant handicap.