Description:

This soundless video demonstrates the resection of a grade 5 suprasellar and third ventricular craniopharyngioma. Notably, the basilar artery is able to be visualized through the floor of the third ventricle at the end of the resection. The patient is a 52-year-old woman who presented with progressive decline in cognition, near total memory loss, and major visual loss that was consistent with her tumor and symptomatic hydrocephalus. The patient’s husband also related a history of significant weight gain over the previous month. On admission, an external ventricular drain was placed. A bifrontal craniotomy for a subfrontal approach was utilized to access the tumor. Gross total resection was achieved, and post-operatively, the patient suffered significant loss of vision. Two months after surgery, her vision and memory had almost returned to baseline. For a further review on the surgical management of craniopharyngioma, please refer to the following: Bruce, J. Surgical management of craniopharyngioma. J Neurooncol: 92: May 2009.