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Craniopharyngiomas in children: Turkey experience

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Abstract

Objectives

Craniopharyngiomas are the most frequently encountered suprasellar tumors in children. Although they have a benign histology, total resection without morbidity is very difficult.

Methods

We aimed to review the results of pediatric craniopharyngioma patients treated in eight institutions in Turkey. There were 51 boys and 36 girls, ranging in age from 20 months to 18 years (mean 10.2 years). The most frequent symptom was headache, followed by visual disturbances. Hydrocephalus was seen most frequently in tumors greater than 4 cm in size (P=0.002). Hydrocephalus was associated with the decreased gross total resection (P=0.043). The recurrence (28%) was significantly higher in patients with subtotal and partial tumor removal (P=0.010). Bad outcome was significantly associated with tumor dimension (P=0.039); the greater the tumor dimension, the worse the outcome. Outcome was significantly better in patients older than 10 years (P=0.032). Gender, tumor type and location, presence of hydrocephalus and calcification, histological type of craniopharyngioma, and surgical approach did not have a significant effect on the outcome.

Conclusions

The treatment should be individualized and a multidisciplinary approach should be used. The goal of surgery should be gross total removal without mortality and with acceptable morbidity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the participating neurosurgeons in this study. The participating centers (in alphabetical order) and neurosurgeons are the following: Akdeniz University: Saim Kazan, M.D.; Ankara University: Mehmet Selçuki, M.D., Agahan Ünlü, M.D.; Atatürk University: Yusuf Tüzün, M.D.; Dokuz Eylül University: Nurullah Yüceer, M.D.; Ege University: Yusuf Erşahin, M.D., Saffet Mutluer, M.D.; Hacettepe University: Nejat Akalan, M.D.; Ondokuz Mayis University: Cengiz Çokluk, M.D.; and Uludag University: Kaya Aksoy, M.D., Faruk Abaş, M.D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Yusuf Erşahin, Taskin Yurtseven, Erkin Özgiray & Saffet Mutluer

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  1. Yusuf Erşahin
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  2. Taskin Yurtseven
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  4. Saffet Mutluer
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Correspondence to Yusuf Erşahin.

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Erşahin, Y., Yurtseven, T., Özgiray, E. et al. Craniopharyngiomas in children: Turkey experience. Childs Nerv Syst 21, 766–772 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-1187-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-005-1187-4

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