Craniopharyngiomas: a clinicopathological analysis of factors predictive of recurrence and functional outcome

Infrasellar Nasopharyngeal Craniopharyngiomas: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors of the anterior skull base arising from epithelial remnants of Rathke pouch. They mainly occur in the suprasellar space, can be incredibly debilitating, and remain difficult to resect as they frequently involve critical neurovascular structures. Although it is embryologically possible for craniopharyngiomas to arise extracranially along the entire migrational path of Rathke pouch, these remain exceedingly rare, especially among adults, and can be mistaken for nasopharyngeal cancer. As such, minimal data exist evaluating the management and outcomes of such lesions. We evaluated our institutional experience with purely infrasellar nasopharyngeal craniopharyngiomas and obtained individual patient data reported in the contemporary literature to better characterize the demographics, presentation, surgical management, and long-term outcomes of these lesions.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify previously published cases of purely infrasellar nasopharyngeal craniopharyngioma in 3 electronic databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Scopus. Search terms were "infrasellar craniopharyngioma" and "nasopharyngeal craniopharyngioma."

RESULTS

We identified 25 cases, in which 72% of patients presented with symptoms of nasal obstruction, epistaxis, or headache. An endoscopic approach was performed in 40% of cases; 83.3% of all patients had gross total resection, with 60% having no recurrence at a median follow-up of 13 months. No postoperative complications were reported. Tumor location involving the cavernous sinus was associated with incomplete resection (100%) compared with tumors not involving the cavernous sinus (87%) (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

While uncommon, infrasellar nasopharyngeal craniopharyngiomas appear to have better perioperative and long-term surgical outcomes than their suprasellar counterparts.

Malignancy arising in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma: Report of a rare case with unusual morphologic features

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is a grade 1 tumor that arises in a sellar/suprasellar location. Despite being a grade 1 tumor, there is high recurrence and endocrinal insufficiency. Malignancy arising in craniopharyngioma is extremely rare, has a dismal prognosis, and is currently not included as a separate entity in the World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System 5th edition. Here we describe a case of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and its malignant counterpart. The malignant part had unique histomorphology and basaloid cells with pseudoglandular architecture and a myxoid background. It bore a striking resemblance to adenoid cystic carcinoma. Both the benign and malignant counterparts were beta-catenin and SOX-2 positive, providing proof of the malignant part arising from the benign part. Tumors like squamous cell carcinoma and odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma have been described in cranipharyngioma. This case study is the first to describe this unique morphology of adenoid cystic carcinoma-like features. The possibility of adenoid cystic carcinoma was excluded by immunohistochemistry.

Advances in the treatment of Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma: How to balance tumor control and quality of life in the current environment: a narrative review

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) presents a significant challenge to neurosurgeons despite its benign histology due to its aggressive behavior and unique growth patterns. This narrative review explores the evolving landscape of ACP treatments and their efficacy, highlighting the continuous development in therapeutic approaches in recent years. Traditionally, complete resection was the primary treatment for ACP, but surgical -related morbidity have led to a shift. The invasive nature of the finger-like protrusions in the histological structure results in a higher recurrence rate for ACP compared to papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP), even after complete macroscopic resection. Given this, combining subtotal resection with adjuvant radiotherapy has shown potential for achieving similar tumor control rates and potentially positive endocrine effects. Simultaneously, adjuvant treatments (such as radiotherapy, intracystic treatment, and catheter implantation) following limited surgery offer alternative approaches for sustained disease control while minimizing morbidity and alleviating clinical symptoms. Additionally, advances in understanding the molecular pathways of ACP have paved the way for targeted drugs, showing promise for therapy. There is a diversity of treatment models for ACP, and determining the optimal approach remains a subject of ongoing debate in the present context. In order to achieve a good-term quality of life (QOL), the main goal of the cyst disappearance or reduction of surgical treatment is still the main. Additionally, there should be a greater emphasis on personalized treatment at this particular stage and the consideration of ACP as a potentially chronic neurosurgical condition. This review navigates the evolving landscape of ACP therapies, fostering ongoing discussions in this complex field.

BRAF-MEK Inhibition in Newly Diagnosed Papillary Craniopharyngiomas

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngiomas, primary brain tumors of the pituitary-hypothalamic axis, can cause clinically significant sequelae. Treatment with the use of surgery, radiation, or both is often associated with substantial morbidity related to vision loss, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and memory loss. Genotyping has shown that more than 90% of papillary craniopharyngiomas carry BRAF V600E mutations, but data are lacking with regard to the safety and efficacy of BRAF-MEK inhibition in patients with papillary craniopharyngiomas who have not undergone previous radiation therapy.

METHODS

Eligible patients who had papillary craniopharyngiomas that tested positive for BRAF mutations, had not undergone radiation therapy previously, and had measurable disease received the BRAF-MEK inhibitor combination vemurafenib-cobimetinib in 28-day cycles. The primary end point of this single-group, phase 2 study was objective response at 4 months as determined with the use of centrally determined volumetric data.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients in the study, 15 (94%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 70 to 100) had a durable objective partial response or better to therapy. The median reduction in the volume of the tumor was 91% (range, 68 to 99). The median follow-up was 22 months (95% CI, 19 to 30) and the median number of treatment cycles was 8. Progression-free survival was 87% (95% CI, 57 to 98) at 12 months and 58% (95% CI, 10 to 89) at 24 months. Three patients had disease progression during follow-up after therapy had been discontinued; none have died. The sole patient who did not have a response stopped treatment after 8 days owing to toxic effects. Grade 3 adverse events that were at least possibly related to treatment occurred in 12 patients, including rash in 6 patients. In 2 patients, grade 4 adverse events (hyperglycemia in 1 patient and increased creatine kinase levels in 1 patient) were reported; 3 patients discontinued treatment owing to adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small, single-group study involving patients with papillary craniopharyngiomas, 15 of 16 patients had a partial response or better to the BRAF-MEK inhibitor combination vemurafenib-cobimetinib. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03224767.).

Characteristics and Outcomes in Pediatric Versus Adult Craniopharyngiomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngiomas account for 1.2% to 4.6% of all intracranial tumors. Although age at presentation is distributed bimodally, with a pediatric peak occurring between 5 and 15 years and an adult peak between 50 and 70 years, presentation, treatment, and outcome differences between these two craniopharyngioma populations have not been thoroughly characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To compare treatments and outcomes between adult and pediatric craniopharyngiomas.

METHODS

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases were searched for primary studies reporting postoperative complications, functional outcomes, recurrence, and overall survival in patients with craniopharyngioma undergoing surgery.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1,202 unique articles, of which 106 (n=4,202 patients) met criteria for qualitative synthesis and 23 (n=735 patients) met criteria for meta-analysis. Compared with adult, pediatric craniopharyngiomas were less likely to present with visual defects (odds ratio [OR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.80) or cognitive impairment (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.71) and more likely with headaches (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.16-3.73). Children presented with significantly larger tumors compared with adults (standardized mean difference 0.68, 95% CI 0.38-0.97). Comparing functional outcomes, pediatric patients sustained higher rates of permanent diabetes insipidus (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.13-2.56), obesity (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.19-8.31), and cranial nerve and/or neurological defects (OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.78-13.31) than adults. No significant differences were found in rates of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, overall or progression-free survival, or recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Adult and pediatric craniopharyngiomas seem to have fundamental differences in clinical presentation and functional outcomes. These patients frequently require multimodality treatment and are best managed with a multidisciplinary team and an individualized approach.

Prognostic Factors and Treatment Impact on Overall Survival in Adult Craniopharyngioma

OBJECTIVE

To examine the demographics, tumor characteristics, treatments, and clinical outcomes of a large adult craniopharyngioma population.

METHODS

The 2004-2018 National Cancer Database was queried to investigate adult patients with craniopharyngioma. Univariable and multivariable Cox hazard ratio analysis was conducted to analyze the overall survival (OS) impact of demographic and clinical variables.

RESULTS

A total of 666 adult patients with craniopharyngioma were identified with a mean age of 51 years (standard deviation 16 years). On multivariable analysis, independent of demographic and clinical variables, increased age, uninsured status, Medicaid, Medicare, Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index of 2, and tumor size greater than 40 mm were independently associated with worse OS. There was no significant difference in survival between histologic subtypes. Gross total resection (GTR) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.602, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.384-0.942, P = 0.026) and subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant radiotherapy (HR 0.316, 95% CI 0.140-0.710, P = 0.005) were independently associated with improved OS. GTR with radiotherapy trended towards improved OS (HR 0.601, 95% CI 0.334-1.083, P =0.090), but STR alone and radiotherapy alone demonstrated no significant difference in survival compared with no treatment on multivariable analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival models demonstrated improved survival with GTR, GTR + radiation therapy, and STR + radiation therapy. Patients undergoing endoscopic resection had significantly lower GTR rates and greater rates of adjuvant radiotherapy compared with open approaches but no difference in OS.

CONCLUSION

Adult patients with craniopharyngioma who underwent GTR or STR with adjuvant radiotherapy had significantly improved overall survival. Endoscopic approaches had lower rates of GTR but no difference in OS.

Predictive Factors for Pediatric Craniopharyngioma Recurrence: An Extensive Narrative Review

Despite being classified as benign tumors, craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to their location, growth pattern, and tendency to recur. Two types can be identified depending on age distribution, morphology, and growth pattern, adamantinomatous and papillary. The adamantinomatous CP is one of the most frequently encountered central nervous system tumors in childhood. Our aim was to review the relevant literature to identify clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical prognostic factors that have been implicated in childhood-onset CP recurrence. Lack of radical surgical removal of the primary tumor by an experienced neurosurgical team and radiotherapy after a subtotal excision has been proven to significantly increase the recurrence rate of CP. Other risk factors that have been consistently recognized in the literature include younger age at diagnosis (especially <5 years), larger tumor size at presentation, cystic appearance, difficult tumor location, and tight adherence to surrounding structures, as well as the histological presence of whorl-like arrays. In addition, several other risk factors have been studied, albeit with conflicting results, especially in the pediatric population. Identifying risk factors for CP recurrence is of utmost importance for the successful management of these patients in order to ultimately ensure the best prognosis.

The molecular pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas

Research from the last 20 years has provided important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas (CPs). Besides the well-known clinical and histological differences between the subtypes of CPs, adamantinomatous (ACP) and papillary (PCP) craniopharyngiomas, other molecular differences have been identified, further elucidating pathways related to the origin and development of such tumors. The present minireview assesses current knowledge on embryogenesis and the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and signaling pathways involved in the ACP and PCP subtypes, revealing the similarities and differences in their profiles. ACP and PCP subtypes can be identified by the presence of mutations in CTNNB1 and BRAF genes, with prevalence around 60% and 90%, respectively. Therefore, β-catenin accumulates in the nucleus-cytoplasm of cell clusters in ACPs and, in PCPs, cell immunostaining with specific antibody against the V600E-mutated protein can be seen. Distinct patterns of DNA methylation further differentiate ACPs and PCPs. In addition, research on genetic and epigenetic changes and tumor microenvironment specificities have further clarified the development and progression of the disease. No relevant transcriptional differences in ACPs have emerged between children and adults. In conclusion, ACPs and PCPs present diverse genetic signatures and each subtype is associated with specific signaling pathways. A better understanding of the pathways related to the growth of such tumors is paramount for the development of novel targeted therapeutic agents.

Outcome after pediatric craniopharyngioma: the role of age at diagnosis and hypothalamic damage

OBJECTIVE

Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are rare malformational tumors. Clinical presentation and outcome of pediatric patients with CP with specific regard to age at diagnosis is not clear. The aim of this cohort study was to determine clinical presentation and outcome in these patients diagnosed at different ages at diagnosis.

DESIGN

Seven hundred and nine patients diagnosed with CP were recruited from 1999 to 2021 in HIT-Endo and KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000/2007/Registry 2019 and prospectively observed.

METHODS

Age at diagnosis was categorized as infants and toddlers (<2 years), early childhood (2-6 years), middle childhood (6-12 years), and early adolescence (12-18 years). Overall and event-free survival (EFS), functional capacity (FMH), and quality of life (QoL) (PEDQOL) were assessed.

RESULTS

Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >3 standard deviation score [SDS]) was prevalent in 45.4% at last visit. A lower EFS but better QoL was observed in children with age at diagnosis <6 years compared with ≥6 years. Reduced functional capacity percentiles were associated with increased BMI-SDS at last visit (rho = -0.125, 95% confidence interval [CI; -0.21; -0.04]) and age at diagnosis <2 years. Posterior hypothalamic involvement and hypothalamic lesion (HL) were independent risk factors for reduced EFS (hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% CI [1.12-2.26]) and obesity at last visit (odds ratio = 2.94, 95% CI [1.73-5.08]). Age at diagnosis did not contribute to severe obesity and reduced QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of CP at age <6 years may help patients to adapt early to disabilities but may lead to a higher probability of CP relapse. Not age at diagnosis but posterior HL may be the contributing factor to severe obesity and a reduced QoL.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT00258453; NCT01272622; NCT04158284.

Long-term outcome of patients treated for craniopharyngioma: a single center experience

PURPOSE

Treatment of craniopharyngiomas (CP) is challenging due to their proximity to critical neural structures, risk of serious complications and impaired quality of life after treatment. Recurrences may occur many years after surgical resection. However, long-term outcome data are still scarce. The purpose of this retrospective study was therefore to assess the long-term results after treatment of patients with CP.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Patients surgically treated for a histologically verified CP at Oslo University Hospital between 1992 and 2015 and with at least a 5-year follow-up were included. Patients' medical records and radiological studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients (mean age 35.8 ± 22.2 years) were included; 18 patients (30%) were children <18 years of age. The incidence for the study period and the referral population was 1.1 cases/million/year, with trimodal peak incidence at 6, 32 and 59 years of age. The commonest presenting symptoms were visual disturbances (62%), headache (43%) and endocrine dysfunction (34%). The transcranial approach was utilized in 79% of patients. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 59%. The surgical complication rate was 20%. Three patients (5%) received radiotherapy or radiosurgery after primary resection. The mean follow-up was 139 ± 76 months, with no patients lost to follow-up. Postoperatively, 59% of patients had panhypopituitarism and 56% diabetes insipidus. Eighteen patients (30%) developed tumour recurrence after a mean follow-up of 26 ± 25 months. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 75%, whereas the disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 84%, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) 61%. Subtotal resection (STR) (p = .01) and systemic comorbidity (p = .002) were associated with worse DSS.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of CP, even though combined with adjuvant radiotherapy in only selected cases, provides good long-time OS and DSS, and relatively good functional outcome in long-term survivors despite postoperative morbidity, particularly endocrine dysfunction. Systemic comorbidity and STR are individual negative prognostic factors.

Craniopharyngioma in Pediatrics and Adults

Craniopharyngiomas are rare malignancies of dysembryogenic origin, involving the sellar and parasellar areas. These low-grade, epithelial tumors account for two main histological patterns (adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and papillary craniopharyngioma), which differ in epidemiology, pathogenesis, and histomorphological appearance. Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas typically show a bimodal age distribution (5-15 years and 45-60 years), while papillary craniopharyngiomas are limited to adult patients, especially in the fifth and sixth decades of life. Recently, craniopharyngioma histological subtypes have been demonstrated to harbor distinct biomolecular signatures. Somatic mutations in CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin have been exclusively detected in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, which predominantly manifest as cystic lesions, while papillary craniopharyngiomas are driven by BRAF V600E mutations in up to 95% of cases and are typically solid masses. Despite the benign histological nature (grade I according to the World Health Organization classification), craniopharyngiomas may heavily affect long-term survival and quality of life, due to their growth pattern in a critical region for the presence of eloquent neurovascular structures and possible neurological sequelae following their treatment. Clinical manifestations are mostly related to the involvement of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, optic pathways, ventricular system, and major blood vessels of the circle of Willis. Symptoms and signs referable to intracranial hypertension, visual disturbance, and endocrine deficiencies should promptly raise the clinical suspicion for sellar and suprasellar pathologies, advocating further neuroimaging investigations, especially brain MRI. The optimal therapeutic management of craniopharyngiomas is still a matter of debate. Over the last decades, the surgical strategy for craniopharyngiomas, especially in younger patients, has shifted from the aggressive attempt of radical resection to a more conservative and individualized approach via a planned subtotal resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, aimed at preserving functional outcomes and minimizing surgery-related morbidity. Whenever gross total removal is not safely feasible, adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) have gained an increasingly important role to manage tumor residual or recurrence. The role of intracavitary therapies, including antineoplastic drugs or sealed radioactive sources, is predominantly limited to monocystic craniopharyngiomas as secondary therapeutic option. Novel findings in genetic profiling of craniopharyngiomas have unfold new scenarios in the development of targeted therapies based on brand-new biomolecular markers, advancing the hypothesis of introducing neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens in order to reduce tumor burden prior to resection. Indeed, the rarity of these neoplasms requires a multispecialty approach involving an expert team of endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-ophthalmologists, neuroradiologists, radiotherapists, and neuro-oncologists, in order to pursue a significant impact on postoperative outcomes and long-term prognosis.

Long-term tumor control after endoscopic endonasal resection of craniopharyngiomas: comparison of gross-total resection versus subtotal resection with radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE

Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas (CPAs) is challenging. Controversy exists regarding the optimal goals of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent gross-total resection with the outcomes of those who underwent subtotal resection of their CPA via an endoscopic endonasal approach.

METHODS

From a prospectively maintained database of all endoscopic endonasal approaches performed at Weill Cornell Medicine, only patients with CPAs with > 3 years of follow-up after surgery were included. The primary endpoint was radiographic progression. Data were collected on baseline demographics, imaging, endocrine function, visual function, and extent of resection.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.7 ± 2.6 years were included. Of these patients, 14 (31.8%) had prior surgery. GTR was achieved in 77.3% (34/44) of all patients and 89.5% (34/38) of patients in whom it was the goal of surgery. Preoperative tumor volume < 10 cm3 was highly predictive of GTR (p < 0.001). Radiation therapy was administered within the first 3 months after surgery in 1 (2.9%) of 34 patients with GTR and 7 (70%) of 10 patients with STR (p < 0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free/progression-free survival rate was 75.0% after GTR and 25.0% after STR (45% in subgroup with STR plus radiotherapy; p < 0.001). The time to recurrence after GTR was 30.2 months versus 13 months after STR (5.8 months in subgroup with STR plus radiotherapy; p < 0.001). Patients with GTR had a lower rate of visual deterioration and higher rate of return to work or school compared with those with STR (p = 0.02). Patients with GTR compared to STR had a lower rate of CSF leakage (0.0% vs 30%, p = 0.001) but a higher rate of diabetes insipidus (85.3% vs 50%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

GTR, which is possible to achieve in smaller tumors, resulted in improved tumor control, better visual outcome, and better functional recovery but a higher rate of diabetes insipidus compared with STR, even when the latter was supplemented with postoperative radiation therapy. GTR should be the goal of craniopharyngioma surgery, when achievable with minimal morbidity.

Skull Base Tumors: Neuropathology and Clinical Implications

Tumors that arise in and around the skull base comprise a wide range of common and rare entities. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of their pathogenesis, which in some cases, have significantly influenced clinical practice. The genotype of meningiomas is strongly associated with their phenotype, including histologic subtype and tumor location, and clinical outcome. A single molecular alteration, NAB2-STAT6 fusion, has redefined the category of solitary fibrous tumors to include the previous entity hemangiopericytomas. Schwannomas, both sporadic and familial, are characterized by near ubiquitous alterations in NF2 , with additional mutations in SMARCB1 or LZTR1 in schwannomatosis. In pituitary adenohypophyseal tumors, cell lineage transcription factors such as SF-1, T-PIT, and PIT-1 are now essential for classification, providing a more rigorous taxonomy for tumors that were previously considered null cell adenomas. The pituicyte lineage transcription factor TTF-1 defines neurohypophyseal tumors, which may represent a single nosological entity with a spectrum of morphologic manifestations (ie, granular cell tumor, pituicytoma, and spindle cell oncocytoma). Likewise, the notochord cell lineage transcription factor brachyury defines chordoma, discriminating them from chondrosarcomas. The identification of nonoverlapping genetic drivers of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas and papillary craniopharyngiomas indicates that these are distinct tumor entities and has led to successful targeted treatment of papillary craniopharyngiomas using BRAF and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. Similarly, dramatic therapeutic responses have been achieved in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, both with BRAF -mutant and BRAF -wildtype tumors. Familiarity with the pathology of skull base tumors, their natural history, and molecular features is essential for optimizing patient care.

The clinical application of intraoperative visual evoked potential in recurrent craniopharyngiomas resected by extended endoscopic endonasal surgery

OBJECTIVE

The protection of visual function is a major challenge for recurrent craniopharyngioma due to the interface between tumor and surrounding structure (esp. optic nerve) is more unclear. Intraoperative visual evoked potential (VEP) has been integrated into transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas and primary craniopharyngiomas in the prediction of postoperative visual outcome. In the present study, we firstly analyzed the clinical value of the VEP in the prediction of postoperative visual outcome for recurrent craniopharyngiomas by extended endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEES).

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with recurrent craniopharyngiomas who underwent EEES with intraoperative VEP monitoring were retrospectively reviewed. The association between the changes in the VEP amplitude and postoperative visual outcome was determined. In addition, other potential prognostic factors with regard to postoperative visual outcomes were also included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 32 patients (88.9%). Reproducible and stable VEP was recorded in 72 eyes. We recorded that there were 29 eyes remained stable VEP amplitude intraoperation, 4 (13.8%) of which suffered new visual acuity (VA) and 5 (17.2%) suffered new visual field (VF) defects after surgery. A transient VEP decrease was recorded in 41 eyes, 8 (19.5%) of which suffered from visual deterioration. Of 2 eyes with a permanent VEP decrease, 2 (100%) experienced postoperative visual impairment. Clinical variable analyses revealed a significant correlation between recurrent craniopharyngioma and age, adhesion with optic nerve, postoperative VA, and intraoperative VEP amplitude. Unstable VEP amplitude during operation and tight adhesion were independent risk factors for postoperative VA. Tight adhesion and a larger tumor volume were independent risk factors for postoperative VF defects.

CONCLUSIONS

EEES provides a unique view for the lesions under and behind the chiasm and achieve higher rates of GTR with improved visual outcomes. Tight adhesion and unstable VEP amplitude were strong predictors of postoperative visual impairment. Recurrent craniopharyngiomas are more likely to adhere to the optic nerve, VEP is more likely to be unstable during operation, and the improvement rate of postoperative visual function is lower than primary craniopharyngiomas. So intraoperative VEP is more necessary for recurrent craniopharyngiomas.

Hypothalamic Injury Following Surgery for Craniopharyngioma Causing Immediate Postoperative Death

While autonomic disturbances resulting from a hypothalamic injury are uncommon complications following surgery for craniopharyngioma, they can lead to postoperative death. Herein, we discuss the case of a multicompartmental craniopharyngioma in a 13-year-old child who died due to unexpected hypothalamic injury, resulting in rapid deterioration in the hemodynamic and neurological status of the patient.

The effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy on malignant craniopharyngioma: A review

Background

Malignant craniopharyngioma is a rare tumor with few published case reports. It can form de novo or transform from a benign variant and is associated with a dismal survival rate. We reviewed the literature for all published cases and studied the effect of radiation on the rate of malignant transformation. We analyzed the effect of chemotherapy on survival.

Methods

We used various search engines to locate literature from 1980 onward and identified 31 case reports, one of which was excluded. Statistical analysis using the SAS software was conducted, and a significant value was identified if P < 0.05.

Results

There was equal distribution among male and female patients. The average age at malignant diagnosis is 31.11 years (±15.16) and 12.19 years (±8.41) for the average interval of benign tumor progression to malignancy. The most common clinical presentation was visual loss and/or field deficits in 26/30 patients (86%). Almost 11/30 patients (37%) had endocrinological deficits, with panhypopituitarism as the most common in 8/11 patients (73%). Fifteen patients received radiation before malignant transformation (47%) and demonstrated no effect on malignant transformation (P = 0.379). Gross total resection was achieved in 2/30 patients. The average time to mortality postoperatively is 5.3 months ± 4.3. Ten patients received chemotherapy, and five were alive at last follow-up (P = 0.115).

Conclusion

Malignant craniopharyngioma carries a dismal prognosis with no apparent benefits of radiation therapy and chemotherapy on survival.

In-depth proteomic profiling captures subtype-specific features of craniopharyngiomas

Craniopharyngiomas are rare epithelial tumors derived from pituitary gland embryonic tissue. This epithelial tumor can be categorized as an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) or papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP) subtype with histopathological and genetic differences. Genomic and transcriptomic profiles of craniopharyngiomas have been investigated; however, the proteomic profile has yet to be elucidated and added to these profiles. Recent improvements in high-throughput quantitative proteomic approaches have introduced new opportunities for a better understanding of these diseases and the efficient discovery of biomarkers. We aimed to confirm subtype-associated proteomic changes between ACP and PCP specimens. We performed a system-level proteomic study using an integrated approach that combines mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic, statistical, and bioinformatics analyses. The bioinformatics analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins between ACP and PCP were significantly involved in mitochondrial organization, fatty acid metabolic processes, exocytosis, the inflammatory response, the cell cycle, RNA splicing, cell migration, and neuron development. Furthermore, using network analysis, we identified hub proteins that were positively correlated with ACP and PCP phenotypes. Our findings improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of craniopharyngiomas and provide novel insights that may ultimately translate to the development of craniopharyngioma subtype-specific therapeutics.

Craniopharyngiomas

Craniopharyngiomas are rare epithelial tumours situated primarily in the sellar/parasellar region, occurring along the path of the craniopharyngeal duct. Whilst classed as histologically benign tumours, their unpredictable growth pattern and proximity to vital structures including the optic chiasm, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland renders them a considerable threat, with significant associated morbidity and increase in mortality. Occurring both in child and adulthood, their clinical manifestations are broad, commonly with symptoms/signs secondary to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, raised intracranial pressure and visual compromise. They have two distinct histological subtypes (adamantinomatous and papillary), with unique patterns of age distribution, and genetic and molecular make-up. With increasing understanding of their genetic pathogenesis including BRAF V600E mutations in the papillary subtype, and β-catenin mutations in the adamantinomatous, further research provides hope for the discovery of targeted medical therapy that can exploit molecular changes occurring as a result of such alterations. Until then, primary treatment consists of surgery with or without radiotherapy, with intracystic aspiration, chemotherapy or irradiation being alternative options in selected patients. Long term management by an experienced multidisciplinary team is essential, given the breadth of complications, including hypothalamic morbidity, visual compromise, cognitive and neuropsychological sequelae and impairment to quality of life.

An endoscopic endonasal approach to craniopharyngioma via the infrachiasmatic corridor: a single center experience of 84 patients

OBJECT

The infrachiasmatic corridor is the most important surgical access route for craniopharyngiomas and was identified and used in clinical series. The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics that assist dissection and resection rates in endoscopic surgery of solid, cystic, and recurrent cases and their importance in the infrachiasmatic corridor in endoscopic surgery.

METHODS

One hundred operations on 84 patients with pathologically identified craniopharyngioma were included in the study. The MRI findings were evaluated, and the location of the lesions was classified as (1) infrasellar; (2) sellar; or (3) suprasellar. In the sagittal plane, we measured the longest diameter of cystic and solid components and the height of chiasm-sella. Images were assessed for the extent of resection and were classified as gross total resection. This was deemed as the absence of residual tumor and subtotal resection, which had residual tumor.

RESULTS

The infrasellar location was reported in 7/84 (8.3%) patients, the sellar location in 8/84 (9.5%), and the suprasellar location in 69/84 (82.1%) patients. The narrow and high chiasm-sella were observed in 28/69 (40.5%) and 41/69 patients (59.4%), respectively. The mean distance of the chiasm-sella was 9.46± 3.76. Gross total tumor resection was achieved in 60/84 (71.4%) and subtotal tumor resection was performed in 24/84 (28.6%) patients. The results revealed that suprasellar location (OR: 0.068; p = 0.017) and recurrent cases (OR: 0.011; p<0.001) were negative predictive factors on GTR. Increasing the experience (OR: 42,504; p = 0.001) was a positive predictor factor for GTR.

CONCLUSION

An EETS approach that uses the infrachiasmatic corridor is required for skull base lesions extending into the suprasellar area. The infrachiasmatic corridor can determine the limitations of endoscopic craniopharyngioma surgery. This corridor is a surgical safety zone for inferior approaches.

Descriptive epidemiology of craniopharyngiomas in the United States

PURPOSE

Craniopharyngiomas are rare benign brain tumors originating from errors in differentiation during embryogenesis. Given current interest in treatments that target genetic and molecular signatures of specific craniopharyngioma subtypes, updated and comprehensive epidemiologic data of these subtypes are necessary to inform and direct resources.

METHODS

We utilized data from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS), which represents 100% of the US population. Incidence by demographics was calculated only for histologically-confirmed cases. Age-adjusted annual incidence was calculated and is reported per 100,000 persons. Annual percent change (APC) in incidence rates from 2004 to 2016 was calculated to assess trends.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2016, 7441 craniopharyngiomas were diagnosed in the United States, representing approximately 620 new cases each year. The incidence for histologically-confirmed cases was 0.16 per 100,000 persons. The age distribution was bimodal, with one peak in 5- to 9-year-olds and another in 55- to 69-year-olds. Compared with adamantinomatous tumors, papillary craniopharyngiomas only represented 5.5% of the histologically diagnosed craniopharyngiomas in 0- to 29-year-olds, 30.6% in 30- to 59-year-olds, and 30.4% in 60 + year-olds. Incidence was highest amongst Blacks (0.22), followed by Whites (0.15), Asians or Pacific Islanders (0.14), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (0.10). No significant difference was discovered in incidence rates between males and females or Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnicities.

CONCLUSIONS

Craniopharyngiomas are rare tumors with a bimodal age distribution and an equal male-to-female incidence. Black patients had the highest incidence, and adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas were significantly more common than papillary tumors in adolescent, adult, and elderly populations.

Development and Validation of Predicting Nomograms for Craniopharyngioma: A Retrospective, Multiple-Center, Cohort Study

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are benign tumors arising from the sellar region. However, little is known about their clinical features and long-term recurrence due to low morbidity and the lack of large cohort studies. Thus, we aimed to develop nomograms to accurately predict the extent of resection and tumor recurrence using clinical parameters. A total of 545 patients diagnosed with CP between 2009 and 2019 were examined: 381 in the development cohort and 164 in the validation cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses were performed to establish two nomograms. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA) and Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves were used to evaluate their predictive performance and discriminative power, respectively, in the two cohorts. In addition, the EORTC QLQ-BN20 questionnaire was used to assess neuropsychological status in the follow-up. In the development cohort, the area under the curve (AUC) and C-index were 0.760 and 0.758, respectively, for predicting the extent of resection and 0.78 and 0.75, respectively, for predicting 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 5-year PFS. Additionally, the model had a predictive accuracy of 0.785. Both nomograms showed acceptable discrimination in the two cohorts. Moreover, DCA demonstrated excellent clinical benefits from the two nomograms. Finally, participants were classified into two distinct risk groups according to the risk score, and an online calculator was created for convenient clinical use. During long term follow-up, hypothyroidism (77.61%) and hypocortisolism (76.70%) were the most common endocrine dysfunction after surgery and significant deficits were observed concerning visual disorder, motor dysfunction and seizures in the recurrent groups. In particular, better quality of life was associated with gross total resection (GTR), postoperative radiation, anterior interhemispheric (AI) approach and transsphenoidal approach. To our knowledge, these are the first nomograms based on a very large cohort of patients with CP that show potential benefits for guiding treatment decisions and long-term surveillance. The current study demonstrated the online calculator serve as the practical tool for individual strategies based on the patient’s baseline characteristics to achieve a better prognosis.

Association of histological subtype with risk of recurrence in craniopharyngioma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

It is controversial whether there is a different risk of recurrence between two histological subtypes in craniopharyngioma (CP) patients. Some reported that adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) had a higher risk of recurrence than papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP), but others reported that there is no significant difference between them. So, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between the histological subtype of CP and the rate of recurrence. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for all English articles published up to November 2020. Recurrence data stratified by ACP and PCP were extracted from studies meeting inclusion criteria. A pooled analysis of the association between the histological subtype of craniopharyngioma and rates of recurrence was performed. Thirteen articles containing 974 patients were included. When stratified by two pathological subtypes, the total recurrence rate of ACP was 26.0% and PCP was 14.1%, which showed ACP associated with a higher risk of tumor recurrence than PCP (odds ratio [OR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36, 3.30, P = 0.00). This is the first meta-analysis focusing on histological subtypes of CP. PCP associates with a lower risk of recurrence than ACP, indicating that ACP could act as one of recurrence risk factors for CP patients. Nevertheless, large sample size and well-designed multicenter studies in which the other clinical variables are controlled to determine the histological subtype of CP as an independent recurrence risk factor are needed.

Perioperative Complications in Endoscopic Endonasal versus Transcranial Resections of Adult Craniopharyngiomas

BACKGROUND

Adult craniopharyngiomas are low-grade tumors of the pituitary infundibulum that can be locally aggressive and frequently present with profound visual deficits and endocrinopathies. Surgical resection remains the preferred initial treatment for these lesions, and recently endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) have become increasingly used. However, minimal data exist comparing these techniques with traditional transcranial (TC) methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative differences in EEA and TC approaches for adult craniopharyngiomas over the past several decades.

METHODS

Craniopharyngioma surgeries in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2014 were identified. Complication rates, mortality rates, and annual treatment trends were stratified by procedure. Annual caseload was assessed with linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression models were created to determine predictors of inpatient mortality and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

From 1998-2014, a significant increase in EEAs for craniopharyngiomas (+4.36/year, r² = 0.80, P < 0.0001) was observed. In contrast, no increase in TC surgeries for these lesions was seen. In multivariate analysis, EEAs were more likely to experience postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak (odds ratio = 2.61, P < 0.0001). However, EEAs were protective against all other perioperative complications including diabetes insipidus, panhypopituitarism, visual impairment, and even mortality (odds ratio = 0.41, P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past several decades, utilization of EEAs to resect adult craniopharyngiomas has increased. EEAs appear to be associated with lower rates of perioperative mortality and complications. However, long-term, prospective studies controlling for tumor size, location, and preoperative symptomatology are needed to determine when one approach should be used preferentially over the other.

Immunohistochemistry or Molecular Analysis: Which Method Is Better for Subtyping Craniopharyngioma?

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is mainly classified into two pathological subtypes: adamantinomatous (ACP) and papillary (PCP). CTNNB1 (β-catenin) mutations are detected in ACPs, and the BRAF V600E mutation is detected in PCPs. However, genetic analysis is not always possible in general medical practice. In this study, we investigated whether immunohistochemistry could replace genetic analysis as an aid in subtype diagnosis. Here, 38 CP patients who had undergone their first tumor resection were included. Among the 38 cases, 22 were morphologically diagnosed as ACP, 10 cases were diagnosed as PCP, and six cases were diagnosed as undetermined CP that were morphologically difficult to classify as either ACP or PCP. Results of immunohistochemistry and genetic analysis and clinical features were compared. Based on the immunohistochemistry, 26 (22 ACPs and four undetermined CPs) showed nuclear β-catenin expression, 11 (nine PCPs and two undetermined CPs) exhibited positive BRAF V600E immunostaining, and one PCP showed membranous β-catenin expression and negative BRAF V600E immunostaining. Among the 26 nuclear β-catenin expression cases, 11 had CTNNB1 mutations; however, 15 cases had mutations of neither CTNNB1 nor BRAF V600E. All 11 BRAF V600E immunopositive cases had BRAF V600E mutations. When comparing clinical features, pediatric patients and those with tumor calcification and less solid components on MRI more commonly had nuclear β-catenin expression tumors than BRAF V600E immunopositive tumors, reflecting the differences in clinical features between ACP and PCP. Accordingly, immunohistochemistry can replace genetic analysis as an aid to determine the subtype diagnosis of CP in general medical practice.

Gliomas, germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngioma

This report summarizes the current multimodality treatment approaches for children with low- and high-grade gliomas, germinoma, and nongerminomatous germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngiomas used in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). Treatment recommendations are provided in the context of historical approaches regarding the roles of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Future research strategies for these tumors in both COG and SIOP are also discussed.

Craniopharyngiomas: Challenges and Controversies

Despite its benign histopathology, the treatment of craniopharyngioma remains one of the most formidable challenges faced by skull base surgeons. The technical challenges of tackling these complex central skull base lesions are paralleled by clinical challenges related to their unique tumor biology and the often-complex decision making required. In this article, we critically appraise the most recent literature to explore the challenges and controversies surrounding the management of these lesions. The role of curative resections and the shift in the surgical paradigm toward the multidisciplinary goal-directed management approach are discussed.

Endoscopic endonasal approach for craniopharyngiomas

The operative management of craniopharyngiomas has evolved over the last two decades. Traditional transcranial microsurgical approaches were the only option until the advent of the endoscopic endonasal approach. It has given surgeons the ability to tackle a challenging entity from a new perspective with comparable if not superior results. In this review we outline the advancements in endoscopic endonasal approach for craniopharyngiomas, address controversies and review the current literature.

Aggressive Childhood-onset Papillary Craniopharyngioma Managed With Vemurafenib, a BRAF Inhibitor

The papillary subtype of craniopharyngioma (CP) rarely occurs in children and commonly presents as a suprasellar lesion. Patients with papillary CPs frequently harbor the BRAF-V600E mutation, and treatment with a BRAF inhibitor results in tumor shrinkage in several patients. Herein, we report a patient with childhood-onset papillary CP treated with vemurafenib for 40 months after multiple surgeries. At age 10, he presented with growth failure secondary to an intrasellar cystic lesion. He had 3 transsphenoidal surgeries before age 12 and a 4^th surgery 25 years later for massive tumor recurrence. Pathology showed a papillary CP with positive BRAF-V600E mutation. Rapid tumor regrowth 4 months after surgery led to treatment with vemurafenib that resulted in tumor reduction within 6 weeks. Gradual tumor regrowth occurred after a dose reduction of vemurafenib because of elevated liver enzymes. He had further surgeries and within 7 weeks after stopping vemurafenib, there was massive tumor recurrence. He resumed treatment with vemurafenib before radiation therapy and similar tumor shrinkage occurred within 16 days. In this patient with childhood-onset papillary CP that was refractory to multiple surgeries, the use of vemurafenib resulted in significant tumor shrinkage that allowed for the completion of radiation therapy and tumor control.

Endoscopic endonasal versus transcranial surgery for primary resection of craniopharyngiomas based on a new QST classification system: a comparative series of 315 patients

OBJECTIVE

An assessment of the transcranial approach (TCA) and the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniopharyngiomas (CPs) according to tumor types has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate both surgical approaches for different types of CPs.

METHODS

A retrospective review of primary resected CPs was performed. A QST classification system based on tumor origin was used to classify tumors into 3 types as follows: infrasellar/subdiaphragmatic CPs (Q-CPs), subarachnoidal CPs (S-CPs), and pars tuberalis CPs (T-CPs). Within each tumor type, patients were further arranged into two groups: those treated via the TCA and those treated via the EEA. Patient and tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were obtained. All variables were statistically analyzed between surgical groups for each tumor type.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients were included in this series, of whom 87 were identified with Q-CPs (49 treated via TCA and 38 via EEA); 56 with S-CPs (36 treated via TCA and 20 via EEA); and 172 with T-CPs (105 treated via TCA and 67 via EEA). Patient and tumor characteristics were equivalent between both surgical groups in each tumor type. The overall gross-total resection rate (90.5% TCA vs 91.2% EEA, p = 0.85) and recurrence rate (8.9% TCA vs 6.4% EEA, p = 0.35) were similar between surgical groups. The EEA group had a greater chance of visual improvement (61.6% vs 35.8%, p = 0.01) and a decreased risk of visual deterioration (1.6% vs 11.0%, p < 0.001). Of the patients with T-CPs, postoperative hypothalamic status was better in the TCA group than in the EEA group (p = 0.016). Postoperative CSF leaks and nasal complication rates occurred more frequently in the EEA group (12.0% vs 0.5%, and 9.6% vs 0.5%; both p < 0.001). For Q-CPs, EEA was associated with an increased gross-total resection rate (97.4% vs 85.7%, p = 0.017), decreased recurrence rate (2.6% vs 12.2%, p = 0.001), and lower new hypopituitarism rate (28.9% vs 57.1%, p = 0.008). The recurrence-free survival in patients with Q-CPs was also significantly different between surgical groups (log-rank test, p = 0.037). The EEA required longer surgical time for T-CPs (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

CPs could be effectively treated by radical surgery with favorable results. Both TCA and EEA have their advantages and limitations when used to manage different types of tumors. Individualized surgical strategies based on tumor growth patterns are mandatory to achieve optimal outcomes.

Hypothalamic injury patterns after resection of craniopharyngiomas and correlation to tumor origin: A study based on endoscopic observation

The precise understanding of hypothalamic injury (HI) patterns and their relationship with different craniopharyngioma (CP) classifications remains poorly addressed. Here, four HI patterns after CP resection based on endoscopic observation were introduced. A total of 131 CP cases treated with endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) were reviewed retrospectively and divided into four HI patterns: no-HI, mild-HI, unilateral-HI and bilateral-HI, according to intraoperative findings. The outcomes were evaluated and compared between groups in terms of weight gain, endocrine status, electrolyte disturbance and neuropsychological function before and after surgery. A systematic correlation was found between CP origin and subsequent HI patterns. The majority of intrasellar and suprasellar stalk origins lead to a no-HI pattern, the central-type CP mainly develops a mild or bilateral HI pattern, and the majority of tumors with hypothalamic stalk origins result in unilateral HI and sometimes bilateral HI patterns. The proportion of tumors with a maximum diameter >3 cm in the no-HI group was higher than that in the mild-HI group, BMI and quality of life in the no-HI group showed better results than those in the other groups. The incidence of new-onset diabetes insipidus in the bilateral-HI group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. Memory difficulty was observed mainly in the unilateral-HI and bilateral-HI groups. However, the outcomes of electrolyte disturbance, sleep, and cognitive disorder in the unilateral-HI group were significantly better than those in the bilateral-HI group. This study suggests the possibility of using pre- and intraoperative observation of CP origin to predict four HI patterns and even subsequent outcomes after tumor removal.

The implication of giant tumor size on surgical resection, oncological, and functional outcomes in craniopharyngioma

OBJECTIVE

Implication of the tumor size on oncological and functional outcomes of craniopharyngioma is inconsistently reported. The aim of this study is to assess the postoperative outcome of giant craniopharyngiomas (> 4 cm in diameter) and to elucidate the impact of tumor size on various outcome parameters and survival.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-four patients (children aged ≤ 18 years: 25; adults: 16) with giant craniopharyngioma, operated between January 2001 and December 2015, were included in this study. Various outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

RESULTS

Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 17 (39%) and subtotal resection (STR) in 27 (61%) patients. Eleven patients (25%) received radiotherapy (RT) after STR. Postoperatively, new cranial nerve and motor deficits were noted in 12 (27%) and 9 (20%) patients, respectively. Tumor recurrence following GTR and STR without adjuvant RT was diagnosed in 3 (17%), and 5 (38%) patients, respectively. Following STR with RT, one (9%) experienced recurrence. PFS at 5-, and 10- year following GTR, STR, and STR + RT was 80.8%, 45.4%, and 90%, respectively. At 5- and 10- year, OS was 86.5%, 77.9% and 100% following GTR, STR, and STR + RT, respectively. The rate of GTR was significantly lower in patients with giant tumors (39% vs. 62%; Chi-square test, p value 0.008). Postoperatively, neurological deficit (20%), hypopituitarism (95%) and hypothalamic dysfunction (26%) were significantly higher for giant craniopharyngiomas. Hazards of recurrence were not significant between giant and non-giant tumors (hazard ratio 1.86; 95% CI 0.94-3.68; p 0.07). There was no significant difference in OS between the patients with giant and non-giant tumors (log-rank test 2.1; p value 0.14).

CONCLUSION

Tumor size should be considered as an important predictor of the postoperative functional outcome. Although the rate of GTR is less than that of small tumors, the recurrence rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival of the patients with giant tumor are comparable to non-giant tumors.

ICAR: endoscopic skull-base surgery

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic skull-base surgery (ESBS) is employed in the management of diverse skull-base pathologies. Paralleling the increased utilization of ESBS, the literature in this field has expanded rapidly. However, the rarity of these diseases, the inherent challenges of surgical studies, and the continued learning curve in ESBS have resulted in significant variability in the quality of the literature. To consolidate and critically appraise the available literature, experts in skull-base surgery have produced the International Consensus Statement on Endoscopic Skull-Base Surgery (ICAR:ESBS).

METHODS

Using previously described methodology, topics spanning the breadth of ESBS were identified and assigned a literature review, evidence-based review or evidence-based review with recommendations format. Subsequently, each topic was written and then reviewed by skull-base surgeons in both neurosurgery and otolaryngology. Following this iterative review process, the ICAR:ESBS document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICAR:ESBS document addresses the role of ESBS in primary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, intradural tumors, benign skull-base and orbital pathology, sinonasal malignancies, and clival lesions. Additionally, specific challenges in ESBS including endoscopic reconstruction and complication management were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

A critical review of the literature in ESBS demonstrates at least the equivalency of ESBS with alternative approaches in pathologies such as CSF rhinorrhea and pituitary adenoma as well as improved reconstructive techniques in reducing CSF leaks. Evidence-based recommendations are limited in other pathologies and these significant knowledge gaps call upon the skull-base community to embrace these opportunities and collaboratively address these shortcomings.

Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas in adult patients: a systematic review and consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Craniopharyngiomas are locally aggressive neuroepithelial tumors infiltrating nearby critical neurovascular structures. The majority of published surgical series deal with childhood-onset craniopharyngiomas, while the optimal surgical management for adult-onset tumors remains unclear. The aim of this paper is to summarize the main principles defining the surgical strategy for the management of craniopharyngiomas in adult patients through an extensive systematic literature review in order to formulate a series of recommendations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The MEDLINE database was systematically reviewed (January 1970-February 2019) to identify pertinent articles dealing with the surgical management of adult-onset craniopharyngiomas. A summary of literature evidence was proposed after discussion within the EANS skull base section.

RESULTS

The EANS task force formulated 13 recommendations and 4 suggestions. Treatment of these patients should be performed in tertiary referral centers. The endonasal approach is presently recommended for midline craniopharyngiomas because of the improved GTR and superior endocrinological and visual outcomes. The rate of CSF leak has strongly diminished with the use of the multilayer reconstruction technique. Transcranial approaches are recommended for tumors presenting lateral extensions or purely intraventricular. Independent of the technique, a maximal but hypothalamic-sparing resection should be performed to limit the occurrence of postoperative hypothalamic syndromes and metabolic complications. Similar principles should also be applied for tumor recurrences. Radiotherapy or intracystic agents are alternative treatments when no further surgery is possible. A multidisciplinary long-term follow-up is necessary.

Intratumoral Rathke's Cleft Cyst Remnants Within Craniopharyngioma, Pituitary Adenoma, Suprasellar Dermoid, and Epidermoid Cysts: A Ubiquitous Signature of Ectodermal Lineage or a Transitional Entity?

BACKGROUND

The authors present cystic epithelial masses in the suprasellar region which on histopathology revealed 4 mixed tumors having simple cuboidal epithelium of Rathke's Cleft Cyst (RCC) elements trapped within pituitary adenoma, epidermoid cyst, dermoid cyst, and papillary craniopharyngioma respectively.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the developmental theory of ectodermal continuum in the realm of suprasellar epithelial cystic lesions and examines the cardinal aspects that distinguish RCC from its confounder, ciliary craniopharyngioma.

METHODS

The authors performed a medical chart review on 4 patients who had coexisting RCC with craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, suprasellar dermoid, and epidermoid cysts.

RESULTS

This series of unique suprasellar lesions elucidate the spectrum of cases from Rathke's cyst to other suprasellar epithelial cysts including a recently identified clinical entity called ciliary craniopharyngioma, which authors feel is a misnomer. The authors also report the first case of ruptured dermoid cyst admixed with elements of Rathke's cyst elements and xanthogranuloma in neurosurgical literature.

CONCLUSION

We propose that the new entity of ciliary craniopharyngioma could be just another variant of RCC elements nested within a typical papillary or adamantinomatous lesion. Further study is warranted to understand the implications of natural history with tumors containing RCC elements.

Postoperative Long-term Outcomes of Patient with Craniopharyngioma Based on CyberKnife Treatment

Objective

The results of CyberKnife treatment in patients with craniopharyngiomas are excellent, but reports of long-term follow-up are rare. Hence, considering the possibility of a long-term follow-up of five years or more, we examined the long-term prognoses of these patients.

Materials and Methods

Of 33 patients, 12 were males and 21 were females. On postoperative evaluation, three patients experienced recurrence after total resection and were treated using CyberKnife. Twenty-five patients were treated with CyberKnife after partial resection. The mean age at treatment was 47 years, and the follow-up period was 61 to 129 months.

Results

Of the cases assessed as totally resected in the postoperative evaluation, three recurred after 18 months. CyberKnife treatment was administered immediately in recurrent cases; subsequently, no recurrences were observed for 25 months or more. No recurrences were observed in any patients treated with CyberKnife on the residual site after surgical treatment. Many cases had improved pituitary function, but none had deteriorated. In addition, no case of visual function deterioration was reported. 

Conclusion

Twenty years have passed since the introduction of CyberKnife treatment; however, only a few reports have examined the long-term prognosis of patients with craniopharyngiomas who underwent this treatment. We have been aware of the efficacy of CyberKnife treatment for ten years or more; its long-term results are evident, and the good growth control and low adverse effects are impressive. We are confident that we can maintain good treatment results by combining conservative surgical resection with minimal complications and CyberKnife treatment for new patients in the future.

Craniopharyngioma

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. ACPs are driven by somatic mutations in CTNNB1 (encoding β-catenin) that affect β-catenin stability and are predominantly cystic in appearance. PCPs frequently harbour somatic BRAFV600E mutations and are typically solid tumours. Clinical manifestations due to increased intracranial pressure, visual impairment and endocrine deficiencies should prompt imaging investigations, preferentially MRI. Treatment comprises neurosurgery and radiotherapy; intracystic chemotherapy is used in monocystic ACP. Although long-term survival is high, quality of life and neuropsychological function are frequently impaired due to the close anatomical proximity to the optic chiasm, hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Indeed, hypothalamic involvement and treatment-related hypothalamic lesions frequently result in hypothalamic obesity, physical fatigue and psychosocial deficits. Given the rarity of these tumours, efforts to optimize infrastructure and international collaboration should be research priorities.

Pediatric craniopharyngioma

BACKGROUND

Craniopharyngioma has historically been recognized to be a formidable pathology primarily due to its proximity to critical neurovascular structures and the challenging surgical corridors that surgeons have tried to reach this lesion.

FOCUS OF REVIEW

In this work, we review the medical and surgical management of these tumors with a focus on clinical presentation, diagnostic identification, surgical approach, and associated adjuvant therapies. We will also discuss our current treatment paradigm using endoscopic, open, and combined approaches to craniopharyngiomas. The management of craniopharyngiomas requires a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, endocrinologists, and neuroanesthesiologists as well as neurocritical care specialists to deliver the most comprehensive and safest surgical resection with minimal postoperative morbidity.

Insights into pituitary tumorigenesis: from Sanger sequencing to next-generation sequencing and beyond

Introduction: This review explores insights provided by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of pituitary tumors and the clinical implications.Areas covered: Although syndromic forms account for just 5% of pituitary tumours, past Sanger sequencing studies pragmatically focused on them. These studies identified mutations in MEN1, CDKN1B, PRKAR1A, GNAS and SDHx causing Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-1 (MEN1), MEN4, Carney Complex-1, McCune Albright Syndrome and 3P association syndromes, respectively. Furthermore, linkage analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified AIP mutations in 20% with familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA). NGS has enabled further investigation of sporadic tumours. Thus, mutations of USP8 and CABLES1 were identified in corticotrophinomas, BRAF in papillary craniopharyngiomas and CTNNB1 in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. NGS also revealed that pituitary tumours occur in the DICER1 syndrome, due to DICER1 mutations, and CDH23 mutations occur in FIPA. These discoveries revealed novel therapeutic targets and studies are underway of BRAF inhibitors for papillary craniopharyngiomas, and EGFR and USP8 inhibitors for corticotrophinomas.Expert opinion: It has become apparent that single-nucleotide variants and small insertion/deletion DNA mutations cannot explain all pituitary tumorigenesis. Integrated and improved analyses including whole-genome sequencing, copy number, and structural variation analyses, RNA sequencing and epigenomic analyses, with improved genomic technologies, are likely to further define the genomic landscape.

Advances in the management of craniopharyngioma in children and adults

Background Childhood and adult-onset craniopharyngioma is a rare embryogenic tumor of the sellar, suprasellar, and parasellar region. Survival rates are high; however, tumor location and treatment sequalae including endocrine deficits, visual impairment, metabolic complications, cognitive and psychosocial deficits can significantly impair patient's quality of life. There is considerable controversy regarding the optimal management of craniopharyngiomas. Subtotal resection of the tumor followed by targeted irradiation to avoid further hypothalamic damage is currently indicated. Novel insights in the tumor's molecular pathology present the possibility for targeted therapy possibly decreasing the rate and severity of treatment-associated morbidity. Conclusions Craniopharyngioma should be seen as a chronic disease. To achieve optimal outcomes a multidisciplinary team of specialized neurosurgeons, neuro-radiologists, neuro-oncologists, pathologists and endocrinologists should be involved in the diagnosis, planning of the surgery, irradiation and long-term follow-up.

Outcome of Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery in Pediatric Craniopharyngiomas

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.

MATERIALS

All consecutive pediatric craniopharyngiomas operated on through this approach since 2000 were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative operative clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features were retrieved from patient records (mean follow-up, 72 ± 67 months).

RESULTS

The series included 25 patients (12 female; mean age, 8.9 ± 4.1 years). Most of the tumors presented with a supradiaphragmatic extension (88%). Removal was radical in 23 patients (92%). Complications consisted of 6 cerebrospinal fluid leaks (24%). One patient (4%) died of postoperative respiratory complications. Most patients (92%) developed panhypopituitarism and visual disturbances normalized or improved in 6 patients (43%). At follow-up, 9 patients (36%) were overweight/obese (6 were already overweight before surgery). The tumor recurrence rate was 19%.

CONCLUSIONS

EEA can be an effective approach for midline craniopharyngiomas in children older than 3 years. It gives a satisfactory exposure of the suprasellar region and an adequate assessment of the brain-tumor interface. Its main limitations are age-related anatomic features of nasal/paranasal sinuses and the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak.

A regional Australasian experience of extended endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for craniopharyngioma: Progression of the mentoring model

Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches to craniopharyngioma has become increasingly popular over the last 15 years. We present the results of our retrospective series of craniopharyngiomata resected by an endoscopic, endonasal approach at a low-volume service in Australasia. Between the years of 2009 and 2017, 11 patients underwent pure endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection for a craniopharyngioma at our institutions. The medical records, histopathology, intraoperative findings and patient imaging were retrospectively assessed. 11 patients were included with 5 male and 6 female patients. The mean age was 32.0 years (range 14-68 years). Of this patient series a gross total resection of the tumour was achieved in 8 of 11 patients (73%). In the immediate postoperative phase, 10 of the 11 patients developed diabetes insipidus (91%). The pituitary stalk was formally not seen in 4 patients and all were treated with vasopressin. Of the 7 patients where the pituitary stalk was identified it was formally divided in 6 and preserved in 1 patient where the tumour was separate to the stalk. The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for excision of craniopharyngioma, utilising and progressing the surgical mentoring model, can achieve adequate decompression of critical structures. Furthermore, our aggressive approach to divide and remove the involved pituitary stalk results in high rates of gross macroscopic resection with excellent long-term disease control with a greater risk of postoperative diabetes insipidus and panhypopituitarism.

The Role of Definitive Radiotherapy in Craniopharyngioma: A SEER Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Assess patterns of care in the management of craniopharyngioma, especially with respect to the use of radiation therapy (RT) alone (which has been understudied to date) as compared with gross total resection (GTR) and subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant RT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The epidemiology, treatment modalities, and outcomes of patients with craniopharyngioma were studied using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2012. Survival was compared between treatment groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

In total, 1218 patients with craniopharyngioma were identified, with equal distribution across sex. There were bimodal incidence peaks, one 20 years old or below, and the other between 40 and 65 years. The majority of pediatric tumors with known histology were adamantinomatous type, which did not influence outcomes when adjusting for age (P=0.392). Overall survival/cause-specific death for patients that underwent RT, STR+RT, and GTR were not statistically different (P>0.05). There was improved survival between several modalities: RT only versus STR only (P=0.024), RT only versus observation (P=0.006), STR+RT versus observation (P=0.046), and GTR versus observation (P=0.046). Patients above 65 years old were more likely to undergo observation (P=0.002), with highest proportions of surgery (54%)/RT (21%) in the pediatric population. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that though age was associated with overall survival (P<0.001), treatment modality (RT/GTR/STR+RT) was not (P=0.119).

CONCLUSIONS

Although management of craniopharyngioma remains somewhat controversial, there were no observed differences in outcomes between definitive RT, GTR, and STR+RT. Although these data are hypothesis-generating, additional data are needed to validate these findings.

Craniopharyngioma in a young woman with symptoms presenting as mechanical neck pain associated with cervicogenic headache: a case report

Background: Craniopharyngioma is benign neoplasm thought to be caused by mal-development, which occurs in both children and adults in the sellar and suprasellar regions of the brain. Typical manifestations in adults are visual and endocrine system symptoms followed by signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (i.e., headache). The management of this rare condition is complex and requires life-long surveillance by a multidisciplinary team of health-care professionals.Objective: To present a rare clinical presentation of craniopharyngioma mimicking nonspecific neck pain usually associated with cervicogenic headache recognized by a physiotherapist in a direct access setting as a condition requiring medical referral.Case Presentation: This case report describes the history, examination findings, and clinical reasoning used in the initial examination of a 33-year-old female with neck pain and cervicogenic headache as chief complaints. Several key indicators in the patient presentation warranted further and urgent investigation: 1) the recent onset of a "new-type" headache; 2) the phenotype headaches change; 3) the rapid progression of the symptoms; 4) the presence of associated neurological signs and symptoms; and 5) the worsening of the symptoms during Valsalva-like activities. The decision was made to refer the patient for further evaluation. An MRI revealed a craniopharyngioma. After a surgical removal of the tumor mass, the patient participated in a rehabilitation program and reached a full recovery after 6 months.Conclusion: This case report highlights the need of more research regarding red flags and warning signs during examination of in the head-neck region, and the central role of primary care clinicians such as physiotherapists in differential diagnosis of life-threatening conditions.

Rapid, label-free detection of intracranial germinoma using multiphoton microscopy

Accurate histopathological diagnosis is essential for facilitating the optimal surgical management of intracranial germinoma. Current intraoperative histological methods are time- and labor-intensive and often produce artifacts. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a label-free imaging technique that can produce intraoperative histological images of fresh, unprocessed surgical specimens. We employ an MPM based on second-harmonic generation and two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy to image fresh, unfixed, and unstained human germinoma specimens. We show that label-free MPM is not only capable of identifying various cells in human germinoma tissue but also capable of revealing the characteristics of germinoma such as granuloma, stromal fibrosis, calcification, as well as the abnormal and uneven structures of blood vessels. In conjunction with custom-developed image-processing algorithms, MPM can further quantify and characterize the extent of stromal fibrosis and calcification. Our results provide insight into how MPM can deliver rapid diagnostic histological data that could inform the surgical management of intracranial germinoma.

Clinical features and operative technique of transinfundibular craniopharyngioma

OBJECTIVE

Transinfundibular craniopharyngioma (TC) is one of the 4 subtypes of suprasellar craniopharyngioma. In this study, the authors analyzed the clinical features of and operative technique for TC.

METHODS

A total of 95 consecutive cases of suprasellar craniopharyngioma that had been resected via the endoscopic expanded endonasal approach were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 34 in the TC group and 61 in the nontransinfundibular craniopharyngioma (NC) group. Clinical and radiographic features, intraoperative findings, histopathological and genetic findings, and surgical outcomes were analyzed and compared between groups.

RESULTS

Compared with NC, TC was mostly seen in adult patients (97.1%); it was rare in children (2.9%). Clinical presentations tended toward headache, hydrocephalus, and diabetes insipidus. The relatively smaller volume, midline location (consistent with the stalk position), unidentifiable stalk, no shift of the third ventricle, and greater likelihood to involve the third ventricle and cause hydrocephalus were the characteristic features of TC in the preoperative MRI study. According to the degree of vertical extension of the tumor, the 34 TCs could be classified into 3 subtypes: type 1, entity was limited to stalk (n = 2, 5.9%); type 2, tumor extended up to the third ventricle (type 2a) or down to the subdiaphragmatic cavity (type 2b) (n = 23, 67.6%); and type 3, tumor extended in both directions (n = 9, 26.5%). For TC resection, the chiasm-pituitary corridor, lamina terminalis corridor, and pituitary corridor could be used separately or jointly. Most of the TCs originated from the infundibulum-tuber cinereum, grew within and along the long axis of the infundibulum, and the pituitary stalk was not usually preserved in TCs (20.6%), whereas the rate of preservation was higher (80.3%) in NCs. Bilateral hypothalamic injury was found in nearly all TCs if radical resection was performed, whereas the relationship between NCs and hypothalamus was either compression (32.8%) or unilateral invasion (67.2%). Meanwhile, the postoperative endocrine and neuropsychological function outcomes in patients with TC were worse than in patients with NC. The genetic analysis with whole-exome sequencing studies showed no differential mutations of CTNNB1 (β-catenin) and BRAF (V600E) between TC and NC subtypes, but there was a difference between adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and papillary craniopharyngioma.

CONCLUSIONS

TC is a special subtype of suprasellar craniopharyngioma, which is remarkably different from NC. Identification of this type of tumor preoperatively is essential for the planning of appropriate surgical approach and degree of excision.