Transnasal surgery in the treatment of craniopharyngiomas

Summary The results of transnasal-transsphenoidal surgery in 31 patients with craniopharyngioma are evaluated. To assess the value of transnasal surgery in cases with visual impairment, the results are compared to cases operated transcranially. There was only one death occurred on the 5th postoperative day. Two patients developed rhinoliquorrhoea, and one a transient oculomotor palsy. Recurrences leading to re-operation occurred frequently after mere cyst aspiration and only once after subtotal tumour removal. Normal glandotrope functions of the hypophysis were preserved in 75%, disturbed functions were normalized in 19% of primary transnasal surgery. Visual disturbances were normalized or improved in 94% cases after transnasal surgery, whereas an improvement was observed in only 65% after transcranial surgery. A deterioration never appeared after transnasal surgery, but in 26% after transcranial operations.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Friedrich Loew on the occasion of his 65th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Homburg Neurosurgical University Clinic, which has been founded and built up by him.