TOPIC REVIEW Surgical management of craniopharyngiomas

Abstract Surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas has been historically challenging and, despite advancements in microsurgical and skull base techniques, continues to pose a challenge to modern day surgeons. In particular, propo-nents of subtotal resection in conjunction with radiotherapy argue that this less aggressive approach can yield equiva-lent control rates with lower morbidity, while others argue that gross total resection is superior. Regardless of whether gross total or subtotal resection is the goal, surgical plan-ning must include a thorough endocrine and neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation as well as imaging, and the approach, whether transsphenoidal or transcranial, must take into account the nature of the tumor and its location. In addition, optimal management of craniopharyngiomas must consist of an individualized and multidisciplinary approach not only including neurological surgery, but also including endocrinology, neuro-ophthalmology, neuropsy-chology, and, often, radiation-oncology