DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL FEATURES WITH SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ADULT CRANIOPHARYNGIOMAS: A ROMANIAN NEUROSURGICAL CENTER EXPERIENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22551/MSJ.2026.02.17Abstract
Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare benign epithelial tumors of the sellar-suprasellar region that remain surgically challenging. Aim: To evaluate the clinical, imaging, pathological and surgical aspects of CPs diagnosed in adult patients as such previous analyses are rare. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study that included adult patients (≥18 years) with surgical treated and pathologically confirmed CP between January 2016 and December 2021. Eligible cases were analyzed regarding demographic data, clinical presentation, and surgical approach. Results: Eleven adult patients were included (mean age 46.6 ± 12.6 years), with a slight female predominance (54.5%). Two peaks in patients’ age were noted: one in the fifth decade of life (40- to 49-year-olds) and another in the seventh decade of life (60- to 69-year-olds). Visual disturbances were the most frequent presenting symptom (81.8%), but headache (54.5%), endocrine disfunctions (36.36%), and neurocognitive symptoms (27.3%) were also identified. Open craniotomy was performed in 72.7% of cases, while extended endoscopic endonasal approach was realized in the rest of the cases. Subtotal resection was achieved in 63.6% of all cases. Conclusions: The findings of our study align with published data, while highlighting specific diagnostic peculiarities in Romanian adult patients with craniopharyngiomas.
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