Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2006 , Vol 16 , Num 1
Rathke Cleft Cysts; Clinical, Hormonal Features, Pathology, Surgical Treatment
Murat ÇAKABAY1, A. Celal İPLİKÇİOĞLU1, Cem A. GÖKDUMAN1, Cem DİNÇ1, Aydın SAV2
1S.B. Okmeydanı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Nöroşirürji Kliniği, Şişli, İstanbul
2Marmara Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Nörolojik Bilimler Enstitüsü, Patoloji Bölümü, Maltepe, İstanbul
OBJECTIVE: To compare the preoperative and postoperative hormonal and visual features of Rathke cleft cysts and to assess the treatment alternatives.

METHODS: A retrospective study of 9 cases of Rathke cleft cysts, diagnosed among 199 sellar-suprasellar masses which were operated between 1998 and 2005 at our clinic were analyzed.

RESULTS: The incidence of endocrine disturbances was 44%, headaches 33% and visual impairment 22% in our cases. Adecrease in visual activity was found in 44% and field deficits were found in 44%. Biochemically, 77% of the patients showed hormonal disturbances. The mass was sellar-suprasellar in 66% and intrasellar in 33% of the patients. All the cases were operated on transsphenoidally. Postoperative recovery was 50% for visual activity and 44% for field deficits. A postoperative improvement was observed in hormonal levels in 71% of the patients. There was no recurrence in our cases.

CONCLUSION: Transsphenoidal cyst drainage is a sufficient treatment in Rathke cleft cyst. Avoidance of radical surgical operations will help minimize the rate of postoperative endocrine and neurological deficits. Anahtar Kelimeler : Postoperative, Preoperative, Rathke cleft cyst, Transsphenoidal surgery