Microsurgery for Rathke's cleft cysts in children

To evaluate the long-term results of microsurgery for Rathke’s cleft cysts in children.Methods Clinical data of microsurgery for Rathke’s cleft cysts in 20 children in Tiantan Hospital between 1993 and 2004 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were diagnosed by the pathological examination.The main clinical manifestations included pituitary dysfunction,visual disturbance and headache.All patients received microsurgical operations through transfrontal (n=17) or transsphenoidal approaches (n=3).Tumors were totally removed in 8 cases and subtotally in 12 cases.All patients underwent follow-up from 5 months to 8 years.Results During the follow-up period,no recurrence had been noted.Pituitary dysfunction in 14 cases (77.8%) was dissolved or significantly relieved,headache in 10 cases (83.3%) was resolved,and impaired vision in all patients was improved.Conclusion The satisfactory results can be gained by microsurgical operations for children with Rathke’s cleft cysts.7 refs,1 fig.