Abstract
Craniopharyngioma is a rare epithelial brain tumor which arises from the embryological
remnants of Rathke's pouch—a remnant of the primitive pharynx. The proximity of this
tumor to the pituitary stalk, hypothalamus, third ventricle, optic chiasm, and optic
nerves, as well as the major intracranial vessels bridging this area, makes safe surgical
resection challenging. Given the recent advancement in endoscopic surgical techniques
and the intraoperative assistance of neuronavigation and intraoperative magnetic resonance
imaging, endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) can be an alternative
to the open transcranial approaches in the management of children with craniopharyngioma
who fulfill the appropriate selection criteria. The comparison between the EETS and
the open transcranial approach regarding the clinical and surgical outcomes could
be subject to an inherent selection bias. In this article, we reviewed the body of
the literature on the role of EETS in the management of pediatric craniopharyngioma
and the proper selection criteria of children with craniopharyngioma, who might be
suitable candidates for tumor resection via this minimally invasive endoscopic approach.
We also looked at the preoperative assessment, surgical techniques, surgical and clinical
outcomes, and the possible complications of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.
Keywords
pediatric - craniopharyngioma - endoscopic - transsphenoidal - CSF leak
