The surgical outcomes following transsphenoidal surgery for Rathke cleft cysts: Comparison of the surgical approaches at a single institution

The aim of the present study is to retrospectively analyze the surgical outcomes and complications of microscopic and endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in the management of Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) at a single institution. A total of 38 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were diagnosed with RCCs, which were confirmed histopathologically. Endocrine function, radiological, and clinical outcomes were evaluated following surgery. This cohort study consisted of 16 male and 22 female patients. The median age was 48 years (range, 21–72). The median clinical follow-up duration was 57 months (range, 3–187). Twenty-five patients underwent microscopic transsphenoidal surgery and 13 patients underwent endoscopic surgery. The cysts were located within the intrasellar area in 18 (47.4%) patients, and extended to the suprasellar area in 20 (52.6%) patients. The radiological characteristics were similar in the microscope and endoscope groups, except mass volume (1.40 vs 0.65 mm(3); P = .003) and peripheral rim enhancement (P = .036). After surgery, 30 (78.9%) of the 38 patients had no residual cysts. There was no significant difference in outcomes between both groups (76.0% vs 84.6%; P = .689). Four (10.5%) patients experienced cyst recurrence in only the microscope group. Twenty-four of the 25 patients who presented with headache showed improvement after surgery. Four patients with visual field defects recovered after surgery. Among the 8 patients with hormonal deficiencies, hormone levels normalized in 5 patients, did not change in 2 patients and worsened in 1 patient. New hormonal deficiencies occurred in 3 patients. Microscopic or endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for RCCs is a safe and effective treatment option. Complete aspiration of the cyst contents with wide fenestration and wall biopsy, regardless of the surgical approach used, is usually a sufficient treatment for RCCs.