Neuroendoscopic Transventricular Approach for Cystic Craniopharyngioma

The literature is rich with many studies reporting different treatment modalities and approaches for cystic craniopharyngioma (CC), including microsurgery, neuroendoscopic transventricular approach, endoscopic transnasal surgery, stereotactic drainage, and Ommaya reservoir insertion. The goals of this manuscript are to report the successful treatment of an atypical case of CC using the neuroendoscopic transventricular approach (NTVA) as well as discuss the different surgical modalities for these tumors following a comprehensive review of the literature. Our patient is a nine-year-old female with a large CC who was managed using the NTVA. No complications or recurrence occurred over two years of follow-up. Results of our literature review showed lower recurrence and complication rates of the NTVA compared to other surgical modalities.The NTVA is potentially efficient, reliable, and safe for managing CC and cystic-dominant craniopharyngiomas, with low recurrence and complication rates compared to microsurgery and Ommaya reservoir insertion. Future randomized clinical studies comparing the various treatment modalities of CC are needed to solidify these conclusions.