Outcome of Craniopharyngioma Experience at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur

Objective: To assess the outcome of craiopharyngioma patients operated at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur in terms of morbidity and mortality. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Place and Duration: This Study was conducted in Neurosurgery Department BVH Bahawalpur. Duration of study was ten years, from jan.2001 to Dec 2010. Materials and Methods: All patients of either gender and all ages who presented with craniopharyngioma are included in the study.. Diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination , imaging studies i.e X- Rays, CT sca , MRI, MRA and confirmed by histology. Surgery was performed in all patients. Results: Out of 32 patients, total excision was performed in 7(21.88%)patients and partial excision with external beam radiotherapy was utilized in 25(78.22%) patients. Thirteen patients developed polyuria,7(23.33%) patients developed hypothyroidism, 3(10.00%) patients suffered hypothalamic injury and 7 (23.33%) patients developed new visual defficit. Five patients died in total excision group and one patient died in partial excision plus radiotherapy. Conclusion: Total excision should be attempted only in situations when all the important adjacent neurovascular structures can be safeguarded, Morbidity and mortality is high in this mode of treatment. Partial excision plus radiotherapy is an alternative treatment with low morbidity and mortality when adjacent important structures are involved.