[Middle-term course of craniopharyngiomas in children as a function of initial therapeutic choice].

Despite numerous studies and publications, the treatment of craniopharyngiomas in children remains controversial. The present series of 33 cases, followed for the last 10 years, is analysed according to therapeutic protocols jointly defined, case by case, from each patient's features and in restricting the extent of surgical excisions. In agreement with other recently published series, two options give superior results: complete excision, when the risk is low; in the other cases, partial excision or rather a simple biopsy or decompression, followed by irradiation. Risks of relapse are thus quite reduced and mortality greatly reduced. The unavoidable consequence of hypopituitarism is easily treated. However, the frequency of psychic and/or neurologic sequellae as well as the risk of post-radiation complications should not be disregarded when selecting treatment.