Kyung Hwan Kim1, Yong Hwy Kim2, Yun-Sik Dho2, Jung Hee Kim3, Sang Duk Hong4, Jung Won Choi1, Ho Jun Seol1, Do-Hyun Nam1, Jung-Il Lee1, Chul-Kee Park2, Doo-Sik Kong5. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: neurokong@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in endoscopic techniques, retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are difficult to remove completely, because the low-lying optic chiasm often provides an obstacle to an endoscopic endonasal approach. This study aimed to identify the endoscopic surgical outcomes of the retrochiasmatic CP and resolve the issues related to low-lying optic chiasm. METHODS: We reviewed 154 consecutive patients with CP who underwent endonasal endoscopic resection from February 2009 to April 2017 at 2 independent institutions. The topographic relationship of the tumor with the third ventricle, stalk, and optic chiasm and clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Retrochiasmatic CPs were found in 142 of 154 patients (92.2%). The median follow-up time was 25 months. Gross total resection and near-total resection were achieved in 113 patients (79.6%) and 21 patients (13.8%), respectively. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks were found in 16 patients (11.3%). Low-lying and high-lying chiasms were found in 44 patients (31.0%) and 98 patients (69.0%), respectively. Low-lying chiasm did not affect clinical outcomes including the extent of resection. Patients with low-lying chiasm showed a marginal trend for postoperative visual deterioration. The ventricular growth pattern representing the origin of the tumor and previous surgery were significantly associated with the position of the optic chiasm (P = 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopic endonasal approach is an effective surgical approach for retrochiasmatic CP, even in tumors with low-lying chiasm. However, a thorough and careful dissection is necessary to prevent visual deterioration.
OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in endoscopic techniques, retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are difficult to remove completely, because the low-lying optic chiasm often provides an obstacle to an endoscopic endonasal approach. This study aimed to identify the endoscopic surgical outcomes of the retrochiasmatic CP and resolve the issues related to low-lying optic chiasm. METHODS: We reviewed 154 consecutive patients with CP who underwent endonasal endoscopic resection from February 2009 to April 2017 at 2 independent institutions. The topographic relationship of the tumor with the third ventricle, stalk, and optic chiasm and clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: Retrochiasmatic CPs were found in 142 of 154 patients (92.2%). The median follow-up time was 25 months. Gross total resection and near-total resection were achieved in 113 patients (79.6%) and 21 patients (13.8%), respectively. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks were found in 16 patients (11.3%). Low-lying and high-lying chiasms were found in 44 patients (31.0%) and 98 patients (69.0%), respectively. Low-lying chiasm did not affect clinical outcomes including the extent of resection. Patients with low-lying chiasm showed a marginal trend for postoperative visual deterioration. The ventricular growth pattern representing the origin of the tumor and previous surgery were significantly associated with the position of the optic chiasm (P = 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopic endonasal approach is an effective surgical approach for retrochiasmatic CP, even in tumors with low-lying chiasm. However, a thorough and careful dissection is necessary to prevent visual deterioration.