Neuroendoscopic transventricular surgery for suprasellar cystic mass lesions such as cystic craniopharyngioma and rathke cleft cyst

Abstract

Cystic mass lesions in the suprasellar cistern are often associated with neurological deficits, cognitive disorders, and endocrinological impairments. Many surgical approaches are available to treat these mass lesions, but are technically difficult and cannot remove the lesion completely without risking damage to neurological and endocrinological functions due to the proximity to the surrounding structures. Neuroendoscopic transventricular surgery was performed using a ventricular fiberscope for three patients with craniopharyngiomas and two patients with Rathke cleft cysts, with gamma knife radiosurgery for craniopharyngiomas. The endoscopic transventricular approach is safe and minimally invasive for congenital benign suprasellar cystic lesions, especially arachnoid cysts.