Microsurgery removal of caniopharyngioma:a report of 21 cases

Objective: To explore the surgical procedures of removing craniopharyngiomas.Methods: Twenty-one cases of craniopharyngioma were performed lamina terminalis approach (10 cases),subfrontal approach (9 cases) and pterion approach (2 cases).Results: The tumor was totally removed in 15 cases and subtotally removed in 6 cases.Thirteen patients lived a normal life,6 acquired self-care capacity,and 2 had unsatisfactory postoperative results.Sixteen cases had no palindromia during the 6 months to 3 years' follow-up,and 5 cases failed to be followed up.The vision of the 16 patients improved to different degrees after the operation.Conclusions: Proper operative route,intraoperative protection of the hypothalamus and basilica perforating-branch blood vessels,and prevention of postoperative complications are key factors influencing the prognosis of craniopharyngioma.