The endocrine outcome after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas

• Published in: Pediatric neurosurgery Vol. 21 Suppl 1; p. 24
• Main Authors: Curtis, J, Daneman, D, Hoffman, H J, Ehrlich, R M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 1994
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body Height - drug effects; Body Weight - drug effects; Child; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Craniopharyngioma - blood; Craniopharyngioma - surgery; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin - administration & dosage; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Growth Hormone - administration & dosage; Growth Hormone - deficiency; Humans; Hypophysectomy; Hypopituitarism - blood; Hypopituitarism - drug therapy; Infant; Male; Pituitary Function Tests; Pituitary Hormones - blood; Pituitary Neoplasms - blood; Pituitary Neoplasms - surgery; Postoperative Complications - blood; Postoperative Complications - drug therapy; Thyroxine - administration & dosage; Thyroxine - blood
• ISSN: 1016-2291
• DOI: 10.1159/000120858

The postoperative course of children undergoing surgery for craniopharyngioma was reviewed. Typically they were below height at presentation. All had an attempt at radical surgical resection of the tumor. Most developed diabetes insipidus in the postoperative period, which was permanent in all but 1 child. 94% required thyroid replacement therapy, and sex steroids were administered in 100% when they reached the age of puberty. 91% required maintenance corticosteroids. 54% required growth hormone replacement, but some children showed continued growth despite apparent growth hormone deficiency. Postoperative obesity develops in one half of patients, and may be improved with administration of growth hormone; a controlled trial is underway.