Craniopharyngioma: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects at the Central Hospital and the General Hospital of Yaounde

Haman NO, Ndome Toto O, Djientcheu VP

Abstract: Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas are benign, partially cystic epithelial tumors of the sellar or supra sellar region, presumably derived from the epithelium of Rathke's pouch. They represent 1.2 - 4.6% of all intracranial tumors. Their age representation is bimodal. The classic clinical presentation is composed of signs of intra - cranial hypertension, endocrine, visual disorders. Their management is a great challenge in the neurosurgical departments. Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of craniopharyngioma in two referral Hospitals (Yaounde Central and General Hospital). Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study with retrospective data collection in the neurosurgical departments of HCY and HGY. It covered a 10 years period from January 2011 to January 2021. All patients with primary tumor of the sellar and/or supra sellar region with presumption of diagnosis on imaging and/or histological confirmation of craniopharyngioma were included in our study. Data were collected using a pre - established data sheet; variables were recorded and analyzed by SSPS 23.0 software. Results: At the end of our study, 27 cases of craniopharyngioma were recorded. CP represented 12.3% of primary intracranial tumors. The sex ratio M/F was 0.8. The mean age was 16.3 years with extremes of 01 year and 52 years. Patients under 16 years of age were the most affected (70.4%). The average time of first consultation was 2.26 months. Patients came to the hospital for signs of raised ICP (51.9%), ophthalmological (33.3%) and endocrine (14.8%) involvement. The diagnosis on imaging was made mainly by CT scan (63.0%). Hydrocephalus was associated with the tumor in 55.5% of cases. Surgical treatment was the main therapeutic modality (81%). Early mortality was 14.8%, with 60% survival at 5 years. The adamantinomentous histological type was the most common in our environment (63.6%). Conclusion: Although craniopharyngioma a rare tumor, it accounts for one third of tumors of the sellar and/or supra sellar region. It is more frequent in children. The clinical presentation is classic with a predominance of advanced forms. The management is essentially surgical and the adamantinamentous histological type is the most frequent.

Keywords: craniopharyngioma, epidemiology, clinical, treatment, Yaounde

How to Cite?: Haman NO, Ndome Toto O, Djientcheu VP, "Craniopharyngioma: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects at the Central Hospital and the General Hospital of Yaounde", Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 911-915, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR23625140617, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR23625140617

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