Trans-Endoscopic Treatment of Craniopharyngioma and Recovery from Blindness in Adult Patient – a Case Report

Abstract

We report a case of trans-endoscopic transventricular approach to a large cystic craniopharyngioma. Surgery was performed three days after visual acuity on both eyes deteriorated to blindness. Magnetic resonance imaging before surgery revealed a large lesion in the suprasellar region that severely compressed the optic chiasm and displaced the third ventricle upward. The lesion was operated through the trans-endoscopic transventricular approach, with the aim of urgent decompression of the optic apparatus. At first, wide ventriculo-cysto-cisternostomy was performed, and then tumor tissue was removed. Postoperatively, visual acuity significantly improved on one eye. Our case shows that this minimally invasive technique is safe and effective and can be an alternative treatment for large cystic craniopharyngiomas. The reported case also shows that loss of vision can still be recovered even after the 72-hour period in adults.