Suprasellar and sellar tumors in childhood and adolescence

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 1992 Oct;3(4):803-20.

Abstract

Suprasellar and sellar region tumors in children constitute a diverse group of lesions. We advocate an aggressive surgical approach to these tumors for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. With detailed knowledge of the microneurosurgical anatomy of this region, the neurosurgeon can choose from a number of operative approaches on the basis of tumor size and location. The benefits of radiation therapy for craniopharyngiomas and optic chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumors must be carefully weighted against the substantial long-term risks associated with irradiation of the developing brain in this region. During the next decade, the role of primary chemotherapy for germinoma and adjuvant chemotherapy for optic pathway gliomas will be determined. Also, the role of stereotactic radiation therapy, of great value to some children with recalcitrant tumors in the suprasellar region, may be better defined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain / pathology
  • Child
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Craniotomy / methods
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / pathology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / surgery*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed