Craniopharyngiomas - Classification and Surgical Treatment

Craniopharyngiomas are a type of brain tumour in the suprasellar region with benign histological and cellular features. Clinical manifestations of craniopharyngiomas include decreased vision, hypopituitarism, hypothalamus dysfunction, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, glycometabolism, lipid metabolism and obesity. Craniopharyngiomas can show some characteristics of malignant tumours, such as invasion to the surrounding tissues, repetitious recurrence, and rapid growth. These characteristics cause considerable difficulty in patient treatment for neurosurgeons all over the world. This volume presents detailed information about craniopharyngioma anatomy, classification and treatment.