Visual Outcome after Surgical Removal of Craniopharyngiomas

Objective : In the present study, we evaluate visual outcomes after surgical removal of craniopharyngiomas and analyze the factors that are considered to affect visual outcomes. Methods : This study includes 30 patients with craniopharyngioma, who underwent surgery in this clinic during the last 10 years. The changes of visual function [visual acuity and field] of the patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively, and paired data of this change were compared. Also, the factors that influence on this change were analysed. Results : Among the 21 patients complaining of decreased vision before the operation, 8 patients were improved [38.0%], and 7 patients were worse [33.3%]. However, Four out of 9 patients without any preoperative visual symptoms developed worse vision after the operation [44.4%]. The average duration of symptom was 17.2 months in the improved group and 23.6 months in the aggravated group. The tumors recurred in only 5 patients after the gross total resection : Four of them showed the aggravation of visual function after surgical removal and 1 had improvement. Conclusion : After removal of craniopharyngiomas, the overall rate of vision improvement, no change and aggravation are 26.6%, 36.7% and 36.7%, respectively. Aggravation of postoperative visual function is higher in males, children and patients with a longer duration of symptom and the tumor recurres more frequently in patients who complained of worsened vision after surgical removal.