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Neurol India 2020 May-Jun;68(Supplement):S154-S160

Department of Neurosurgery, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

The most common sellar pathology that merits neurosurgical attention is the pituitary adenoma. However, some developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic lesions may primarily or secondarily involve the sella, mimicking pituitary tumors. Advances in imaging and endocrinological assessment have helped in the recognition of these less common sellar, supra sellar pathologies, which may occasionally create confusion in management. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 18;141:113-114. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China. Electronic address:

Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing benign tumor, accounting for 5.6%-13% of primary intracranial tumors in children. The present patient showed a huge cyst, and computed tomography scan of the brain revealed a 9. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 6. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.

Objective: To study the changes in cyst volume detected on interval computed tomography (CT) in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) for residual cystic craniopharyngiomas after surgery.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of CT scans done halfway during the course of RT for residual cystic craniopharyngiomas between January 2005 and January 2018 was performed to assess the incidence of cyst expansion requiring additional intervention. Possible risk factors for cyst expansion during RT were analyzed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 6. Epub 2020 Jun 6.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908. Electronic address:

Background: Although extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is well established, presentation in the suprasellar space is rare. When presenting in the suprasellar space, the imaging characteristics may mimic more common lesions including craniopharyngioma and Rathke cleft cyst depending on the life cycle of the parasite. Although antiparasitic medical therapy may be effective for viable NCC, it is not routinely employed for calcified NCC. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York.

Retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas are difficult to treat due to their close proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Several surgical approaches with distinct advantages and limitations have been described to access these tumors, including extended transnasal endoscopic approach (ETEA), subtemporal, translamina terminalis, and transpetrosal approach.1-3  We present a 51-yr-old male with a large retrochiasmatic craniopharyngioma extending into the third ventricle, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Neurocirugia (Astur) 2020 May 20. Epub 2020 May 20.

Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas are a big challenge in the neurosurgical field. Because these lesions involve important systems, surgeons must weigh the risks of aggressive resection against the long-term challenges of recurrence. We present the outcomes of our patients based on clinical results, degree of resection, recurrence and disease-free survival. Read More

Br J Neurosurg 2020 May 12:1-3. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

A 46-year old female patient presented with a left-sided superior temporal quadrantanopia due to a recurrent craniopharyngioma. The location of the recurrence was unusual. Imaging showed an enlarged left optic nerve, suggestive of a recurrent intra-optic craniopharyngioma. Read More

Surg Pathol Clin 2020 Jun;13(2):305-329

Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:

Sellar region lesions include a broad range of benign and malignant neoplastic as well as non-neoplastic entities, many of which are newly described or have recently revised nomenclature. In contrast to other intracranial sites, imaging features are relatively less specific, and the need for histopathological diagnosis is of paramount importance. This review will describe pituitary adenomas, inflammatory lesions, and tumors unique to the region (craniopharyngioma) as well as tumors which may occur in but are not exclusively localized to the sellar location (schwannoma, metastasis, etc. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2020 Jul 30;15(7):846-849. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, 3002 SunGangXi Road, Shenzhen 518035, China.

Craniopharyngioma is an uncommon intracranial tumor that primarily occurs in the sella turcica. Giant cystic craniopharyngioma is rare in general and extremely rare in adults. We report a rare case of giant cystic craniopharyngioma in the anterior pontine cisterna and suprasellar cisterna. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Apr 13;139:63-69. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Pathology Departments, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Achrafieh, Lebanon.

Background: Pituitary adenomas are the most common lesion of the sellar region. Very few cases in the literature have described their association with craniopharyngiomas in the same anatomic compartment, an entity defined as collision tumors of the sella.

Case Description: A 35-year-old man presented with headaches and progressive visual disturbances. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2020 Mar;8(6):1158-1163

Department of Emergency Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare condition in patients with craniopharyngioma following transsphenoidal surgery.

Case Summary: A 56-year-old man who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for craniopharyngioma 26 d ago presented gradual headache and cerebrospinal fluid leakage while vomiting 5 d post-discharge and required readmission to our department of neurosurgery. After admission, head imaging examination showed a hyperdense shadow in the superior sagittal sinus and right transverse sinus, edema at the bilateral parietal lobe, and hemorrhage at the left parietal lobe and right occipital lobe; the venous phase of cerebral angiography revealed CVST. Read More

Childs Nerv Syst 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

Purpose: Intracranial ganglioneuroblastomas are incredibly rare neuroectodermal tumors with only 8 described cases total, 5 of those having imaging findings METHODS: Here we present a 9-year-old female patient with 4 months progressive headaches, personality changes, and vomiting. We also present a review of the current literature of intracranial ganglioneuroblastomas.

Results: Imaging demonstrated a partially calcified suprasellar mass measuring 4. Read More

Ann Saudi Med 2020 Mar-Apr;40(2):94-104. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

From the Division of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Endoscopic transnasal surgery has gained rapid global acceptance over the last two decades. The growing literature and understanding of anterior skull base endoscopic anatomy, in addition to new dedicated endoscopic instruments and tools, have helped to expand the use of the transnasal route in skull base surgery.

Objective: Report our early experience in expanded endoscopic transnasal surgery (EETS) and approach to skull base neoplasms. Read More

Arch Med Sci 2020 29;16(2):460-465. Epub 2019 Oct 29.

Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse the incidences of hypopituitarism before and after surgical resection of sellar tumours and to find the factors related to the incidences.

Material And Methods: From January 2009 to December 2011, 191 patients in the Department of Neurosurgery in Xiangya Hospital, who underwent the surgical resection of sellar tumours, were included in this retrospective analysis. Pre- and postoperative pituitary function assessments were performed by the detection of hormone levels. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020 Mar;100(8):610-613

Department of Neurosurgery, Hebei Genral Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, China.

To investigate the causes of misdiagnosis of suprasellar arachnoid cysts, analyze its characteristics and put forward the diagnostic basis and differential points. The clinical data fo 97 cases of suprasellar arachnoid cysts diagnosed and treated in the neurosurgery department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Hebei General Hospital from March 2015 to March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent CT and MRI scans with obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Contrast Media Mol Imaging 2020 18;2020:4837156. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

Purpose: To investigate the ability of qualitative Magnetic Resonance (MR) images features and quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) texture features in the contrastive analysis between craniopharyngioma and meningioma.

Method: A total number of 127 patients were included in this study (craniopharyngioma = 63; meningioma = 64). All the features analyzed in this study were acquired from preoperative MRI images. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 20;11:76. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.

To increase knowledge for the early differential diagnosis and accurate therapeutic strategies for pediatric patients with sellar or suprasellar region (SSR) lesions who initially present with central diabetes insipidus (CDI). This is a retrospective review of 55 pediatric patients (≤14 years old) with identified lesions in the SSR who initially presented with CDI at a large pituitary center between 2012 and 2018. The following data were summarized: demographic, clinical, endocrine, and neuroimaging data, intraoperative findings, histopathological findings, treatments, and prognosis. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 6;68:104-106. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign cystic lesions from the remnant cells of the craniopharyngeal duct within Rathke's pouch. Anticipation of such condition will help planning the treatment course.

Presentation Of Case: We present a case of a 46-year-old male, referred to our tertiary center with a history of seizures, confusion and agitation for the past two weeks. Read More

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020 May;105(5)

Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

Context: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement therapy is often prescribed in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) or craniopharyngioma.

Objective: To study whether rhGH therapy in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) increases the risk of pituitary tumor recurrence.

Design: Retrospective, observational study. Read More

J Neurooncol 2020 Apr 21;147(2):387-395. Epub 2020 Feb 21.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that commonly develops within the suprasellar region. The tumor and treatment can have debilitating consequences for pediatric and adult patients, including vision loss and pituitary/hypothalamic dysfunction. Most craniopharyngioma series focus on treatment of the pediatric population. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 May 17;137:281-285. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Background: Pituitary abscesses within pre-existing pituitary conditions, such as craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, or Rathke cleft cyst, are quite rare. A case of pituitary abscess secondary to adenoma is presented, and the literature is reviewed.

Case Description: An 11-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history of sudden-onset headache and visual loss. Read More

BMC Neurol 2020 Feb 15;20(1):56. Epub 2020 Feb 15.

Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are defined by the WHO as "benign" tumours, but their location and surgical treatment may be associated with major complications, one being chemical meningitis. Although rare, especially in children, it should be taken into account when worrying symptoms appear after surgery.

Case Presentation: The aim of this study is to present the case of chemical meningitis in a 7-year-old girl. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 06 12;138:89-92. Epub 2020 Feb 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Background: Recent molecular investigations for craniopharyngiomas have investigated possible predictive biologic markers. Growth hormone receptor (GHR) is thought to be involved in tumor aggressiveness, and high expression of GHR is associated with shorter duration of postoperative stable disease.

Case Description: A 27-year-old man with a large suprasellar tumor underwent an inexplicable clinical course. Read More

F1000Res 2019 30;8:1544. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

This manuscript describes the study of two cases of craniopharyngioma, which have been examined repeatedly over three separate centuries. This includes analysis by Josef Engel in 1839, who sought to uncover the physiological role of the pituitary gland; Jacob Erdheim in 1904, who initially described the disease we now call craniopharyngioma, and recent high resolution MRI and micro-CT imaging and attempted DNA analyses of the tumours. The cases highlight how, rightly or wrongly, our interpretation of data is shaped by the technologies, methodologies and prevailing theories of a given time. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020 May 3;192:105711. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Medical College Post, Trivandrum, 695011, Kerala, India.

Objective: The optimal therapeutic approach to craniopharyngioma has not been established conclusively. The surgical outcome following radical excision and conservative resection with adjuvant radiotherapy are comparable or even better with the later in pediatric or mixed populations. This study is aimed at reviewing the role of extent of resection in local tumor control and long-term outcome in adults with craniopharyngioma. Read More

J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2020 Feb 18;81(1):56-61. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States.

 The purpose of this study is to specifically assess pediatric patients with nonpneumatized sphenoid sinuses who have undergone transsphenoidal resections of skull base tumors and assess the complications and outcomes.  Data was collected by a retrospective chart review done on children ages 7 and under who underwent endoscopic tumor resection and had a partially or completely nonpneumatized sphenoid sinus on preoperative computed tomography imaging. Surgical data collected included surgical corridor, gross total versus subtotal resection, repair method, use of septal flap, intraoperative and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, and estimated blood loss. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 Jan 29. Epub 2020 Jan 29.

Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.

Craniopharyngioma are benign extra-axial tumors occurring classically in the vicinity of the sella. Because of the complex anatomy surrounding the sella turcica comprising, among others, the vessels of the circle of Willis, the optic nerves, chiasma and optic pathway, the hypothalamus, the third ventricle, and the pituitary gland, a large variety of technical approaches have been described. We illustrate, in this video, a unilateral supraorbital keyhole approach to access and entirely extirpate a prechiasmatic craniopharyngioma. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Apr 10;136:193-197. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Electronic address:

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are sellar-suprasellar tumors that commonly present in children, with nonspecific symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, visual disturbances, and pituitary insufficiencies. Rarely has secondary hypophysitis (lymphocytic and xanthogranulomatous) been reported in association with craniopharyngioma.

Case Description: We have reported the case of a 16-year-old boy who had presented with gradually progressive diminution of vision in the right eye, intermittent headache, deceleration in growth velocity, and the lack of development of secondary sexual characteristics. Read More

Endocr Connect 2020 Feb;9(2):111-121

Department of Endocrinology, Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Background: Most common incidentally detected sellar-suprasellar region (SSR) masses are pituitary adenomas, followed by craniopharyngioma, rathke's cleft cyst, hypophysitis, and meningioma. Besides these, certain unusual SSR lesions can sometimes present as diagnostic challenges, where diagnosis is often made post-operatively on histopathology, the pre-operative suspicion of which might have influenced the management strategies. Series describing such masses are few. Read More

Vnitr Lek 2019 ;65(11):715-720

Panhypopituitarism following craniopharyngioma resection has systemic impact with potential influence on physio-logical hematopoiesis. There is a growing body of evidence of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis risk development due to altered metabolism and lipid accumulation. The authors present a case report of a woman with a history of craniopharyngioma resection followed by aggravating pancytopenia with suspected indolent lymphoproliferative disorder and possible acquired bone marrow aplasia syndrome due to paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2020 Mar/Apr;31(2):e173-e175

Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.

Chordoid glioma (CG) is a world health organization classified grade II tumor whose typical localization is in the anterior part of the third ventricle. It's clinical, neuroimaging, and pathologic features may vary and furthermore mimic other types of benign lesions usually associated with a better outcome, thus representing a potential radiological and diagnostic pitfall. In this article, the authors present a novel case of a 51-year-old male who underwent gross total removal of the tumor of the third ventricle with high calcification. Read More

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020 01 19;41(1):106-110. Epub 2019 Dec 19.

From the Departments of Radiology (M.A., Z.A.K., T.H.) and.

Background And Purpose: Because it can be difficult to discriminate between a Rathke cleft cyst and cystic craniopharyngioma by conventional MR imaging alone, we investigated whether contrast-enhanced 3D T2-FLAIR MR imaging at 3T helps to distinguish a Rathke cleft cyst from a cystic craniopharyngioma.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted and 3D T2-FLAIR images of 17 patients with pathologically confirmed Rathke cleft cyst ( = 10) or cystic craniopharyngioma ( = 7). All underwent 3T MR imaging studies before surgery. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 Jul;19(1):E70

Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Understanding of the microsurgical anatomy of the sella and suprasellar space is necessary for successful selection of surgical approaches and resection of craniopharyngiomas. Endoscopic endonasal surgery provides excellent exposure of the suprasellar space and has become the approach of choice for most of those tumors. In this video, we discuss the anatomical and surgical nuances for resection of craniopharyngiomas via an endoscopic transtuberculum transplanum approach. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 Jul;19(1):E68-E69

Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.

A 2-yr-old patient with a giant craniopharyngioma presented with seizures and panhypopituitarism. The lesion was initially approached at an outside institution with a transfrontal cyst fenestration, but progressive growth occurred later. Multiple management options were considered; we recommended an endoscopic endonasal approach with the goal of maximal safe resection. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020 Mar 19;130:109786. Epub 2019 Nov 19.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, Brazil.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze our series of pediatric patients who underwent craniopharyngioma resection using the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA).

Methods: We collected clinical and surgical data from the charts of 20 children who underwent craniopharyngioma removal surgery using the EETA from 2007 to 2017. From the charts, we collected demographic information, results of imaging tests (size and extension of the tumor), and information regarding the surgical procedure and postoperative complications. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Nov;54(11):819-825

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin HuanHu Hospital, Tianjin 300350, China.

To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristic and differential diagnostic keypoints of common sellar regional cystic lesions with the purpose of improving differential diagnostic accuracy. In total, 174 cases of the pathologically diagnosed cystic lesions in sellar region between March 2016 and June 2019 were included in the current retrospective analysis. These cases included Rathke's cleft cyst (=68), craniopharyngioma (=48), pituitary adenoma (=56) and arachnoid cyst (=2) in the sellar region. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2019 12;47(6):E12

Departments of4Neurosurgery and.

Objective: Advances in 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology permit the rapid creation of detailed anatomical models. Integration of this technology into neurosurgical practice is still in its nascence, however. One potential application is to create models depicting neurosurgical pathology. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Mar 27;135:e194-e201. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Malignant craniopharyngioma is a rare clinical entity; most patients with this disease show transformation from an initially benign craniopharyngioma. The rare prevalence of the disease, nonspecific presenting symptoms, and imaging features that overlap with benign craniopharyngiomas make preoperative identification challenging.

Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the data of 7 patients diagnosed with malignant craniopharyngioma within a 5-year period in a single center. Read More

Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2019 Oct;40(2):99-104

Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: Pituitary abscess is a rare condition, with approximately 300 cases reported in the literature. Primary pituitary abscess, the most common type, occurs in previously healthy normal glands. Secondary pituitary abscess is secondary to pre-existing lesions in the pituitary region, such as pituitary adenoma, Rathke's cleft cysts, or craniopharyngioma and infections. Read More

Tohoku J Exp Med 2019 11;249(3):223-229

Division of Nephrology, Endocrinology and Vascular Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital.

Hypothalamic obesity is a clinical syndrome characterized by severe and refractory obesity that is caused by hypothalamic function impairment. Recently, bariatric surgery has been attempted for patients with hypothalamic obesity after craniopharyngioma, but experiences have not yet been accumulated in other hypothalamic disorders. Here, we report the case of a 39-year-old male patient with panhypopituitarism who received laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) after intracranial germinoma treatment. Read More

Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2018 Oct.-Dec.;16(64):328-332

Department of Neurosurgery, Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare epithelial tumors arising from the Rathke's pouch remnant located along the path of the craniopharyngeal duct accounting for 1.2-4% of all primary intracranial brain tumors, the primary treatment of which is surgery. Objective Whether radical surgical resection or partial resection followed by radiotherapy is a topic of debate. Read More

Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019 11 7;5(1):75. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.

Craniopharyngiomas are rare malformational tumours of low histological malignancy arising along the craniopharyngeal duct. The two histological subtypes, adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) and papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP), differ in genesis and age distribution. ACPs are diagnosed with a bimodal peak of incidence (5-15 years and 45-60 years), whereas PCPs are restricted to adults mainly in the fifth and sixth decades of life. Read More

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2019 6;97(4):266-271. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Amiens Picardie University Medical Center, Amiens, France.

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a difficult entity to treat, which is particularly true for mixed craniopharyngioma (i.e., a mixture of both solid and cystic components). Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 24;134:e453-e459. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Background: Endoscopic access to the third ventricle is limited by the confinements of the foramen of Monro and can be aided by opening of the choroidal fissure.

Objective: We describe the endoscopic transforaminal transchoroidal (ETTC) approach to the third ventricle with opening of the choroidal fissure to enlarge the posterior foramen of Monro for treatment of various third ventricular diseases.

Methods: We completed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database at 3 tertiary academic facilities. Read More

Oncotarget 2019 Oct 15;10(57):6038-6042. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

We report a case of a patient with newly diagnosed, locally extensive and cystic, suprasellar papillary craniopharyngioma successfully treated with single-agent Dabrafenib. The patient was symptomatic with gait imbalance with falls, lethargic episodes, fatigue and incontinence. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated a cystic suprasellar tumor extending into the third ventricle causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 17;134:e277-e288. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.

Background: In the last years, few reports have shown the feasibility of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniopharyngiomas in pediatric patients. For these tumors, recent studies have suggested less aggressive surgery, favoring the preservation of the patient's quality of life.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of the EEA in a large series with specific attention on the long-term functional sequelae. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2019 30;10:169. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Departments of Radiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Background: Despite colloid cyst in the third ventricle is a very usual cause of hydrocephalus, its xanthogranulomatous variant is rare. The most important differential diagnosis is the third ventricular craniopharyngioma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been few cases of xanthogranulomatous variant colloid cysts reported in the English literature. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 Jun;18(6):E232

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

This two-dimensional video shows the technical nuances of complete microsurgical resection of a hypothalamic craniopharyngioma located in the retrochiasmatic region by the transpetrosal approach.  This 49-yr-old man presented with progressive fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty in vision in both eyes. He was found to have right CN 3 paralysis and bitemporal hemianopsia on neurological examination. Read More

J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2019 Oct 21;80(5):449-457. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States.

 We present a patient with a prolactin-secreting adenoma with extensive secondary, noninfectious, xanthogranulomatous changes due to remote intratumoral bleeding and provide a literature review of xanthogranulomas (XGs) of the sellar region with emphasis on prolactinomas with xanthogranulomatous features.  Case report, with PubMed search of cases of sellar XG, focusing on neuroimaging and surgical approach.  A 35-year-old male was found to have a large sellar/suprasellar calcified/cystic mass. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2019 24;10:72. Epub 2019 Apr 24.

Division of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States.

Background: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare form of astrocytic neoplasm most commonly found in children and young adults. This neoplasm, which is classified as a Grade II tumor by the World Health Organization classification of tumors of the central nervous system, carries a relatively favorable outcome. It is usually found supratentorially in cortical regions of the cerebral hemispheres, and as such, presenting symptoms are similar to other supratentorial cortical neoplasms; with seizures being a common initial symptom. Read More