BACKGROUND: The optimal management of craniopharyngiomas is a topic of ongoing debate. Supporters of limited surgery for craniopharyngiomas claim that more radical approaches are afflicted with adverse neuropsychological sequelae. Since prospective studies on this issue have not yet been performed, we assessed neuropsychological functioning in adults before and after craniopharyngioma surgery. METHODS: Thirteen adults with an age range of 17-76 years (mean, 45 years) were included in the study. Surgery included a transcranial procedure in 10 patients. The bifrontal interhemispheric approach predominated (n = 7). Neuropsychological evaluation was performed before and 3 months after surgery. The test battery was adjusted to evaluate function related to structures in the operative trajectory and at the tumor site. RESULTS: A complete tumor removal was accomplished in eight patients and subtotal removal in three patients. IQ scores for verbal intelligence were in the normal range and not affected by surgery (mean IQ score preoperative: 106.8; postoperative 107.4). In 12 of 13 patients, immediate recall, delayed recall and recognition memory were not impaired after surgery. Postoperative results for abstract thinking were in the normal or above-normal range. Cognitive speed was impaired in three patients preoperatively and in two patients postoperatively. Overall results were significantly better after surgery. Word fluency was not affected by surgery. Quality of life for the category "sleep" was impaired preoperatively, and this improved after surgery. Otherwise, quality of life was normal both before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological performance and quality of life are generally not impaired after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas. The findings support the attitude that the initial therapy of craniopharyngiomas should be an attempt at total removal.
BACKGROUND: The optimal management of craniopharyngiomas is a topic of ongoing debate. Supporters of limited surgery for craniopharyngiomas claim that more radical approaches are afflicted with adverse neuropsychological sequelae. Since prospective studies on this issue have not yet been performed, we assessed neuropsychological functioning in adults before and after craniopharyngioma surgery. METHODS: Thirteen adults with an age range of 17-76 years (mean, 45 years) were included in the study. Surgery included a transcranial procedure in 10 patients. The bifrontal interhemispheric approach predominated (n = 7). Neuropsychological evaluation was performed before and 3 months after surgery. The test battery was adjusted to evaluate function related to structures in the operative trajectory and at the tumor site. RESULTS: A complete tumor removal was accomplished in eight patients and subtotal removal in three patients. IQ scores for verbal intelligence were in the normal range and not affected by surgery (mean IQ score preoperative: 106.8; postoperative 107.4). In 12 of 13 patients, immediate recall, delayed recall and recognition memory were not impaired after surgery. Postoperative results for abstract thinking were in the normal or above-normal range. Cognitive speed was impaired in three patients preoperatively and in two patients postoperatively. Overall results were significantly better after surgery. Word fluency was not affected by surgery. Quality of life for the category "sleep" was impaired preoperatively, and this improved after surgery. Otherwise, quality of life was normal both before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological performance and quality of life are generally not impaired after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas. The findings support the attitude that the initial therapy of craniopharyngiomas should be an attempt at total removal.
Authors: Jessica K Schefter; George Allen; Anthony J Cmelak; Mahlon Johnson; Steven Toms; Dennis Duggan; Lewis S Blevins Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 4.130
Authors: Chiaho Hua; Barry L Shulkin; Daniel J Indelicato; Yimei Li; Xingyu Li; Frederick A Boop; Thomas E Merchant Journal: J Neurosurg Pediatr Date: 2015-08-21 Impact factor: 2.375
Authors: Jiska van Schaik; Dominique G A Begijn; Laura van Iersel; Yvonne Vergeer; Eelco W Hoving; Babette Peeters; Hanneke M van Santen Journal: Obes Facts Date: 2020-08-11 Impact factor: 3.942