Management of hypothalamic disease in patients with craniopharyngioma

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2019 Apr;90(4):506-516. doi: 10.1111/cen.13929. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Abstract

Patients with craniopharyngioma experience excess morbidity and mortality when compared with the background population and with other hypopituitary patients. Large, suprasellar tumours which form micropapillae into surrounding structures can cause hypothalamic damage before any therapeutic intervention; attempted gross total resection can lead to hypothalamic obesity, sleep disorders, thirst disorders and dysregulation of temperature as well as panhypopituitarism. The management of tumour bulk and the pathophysiology of hypothalamic complications have been reviewed extensively. We present a practical, clinical approach to management of hypothalamic disease in a patient with craniopharyngioma and highlight potential targets for future pharmacological or surgical intervention.

Keywords: craniopharyngioma; hypopituitarism; hypothalamus; obesity; sleep disorders; thirst.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Craniopharyngioma / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / pathology
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / pathology*
  • Male
  • Models, Biological

Supplementary concepts

  • Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency