Psychiatric, cognitive and behavioural outcomes following craniopharyngioma and pituitary adenoma surgery

Abstract

In order to determine the cognitive and behavioural changes in patients following craniopharyngioma surgery, all patients over the age of 16 years who had an operative intervention for craniopharyngioma between 1983 and 1998 were identified. Those consenting were interviewed using standardized instruments to assess for the presence of a psychiatric disorder, disturbance of behaviour or altered cognitive function. A control group of age- and sex-matched patients who had undergone pituitary adenoma excision were identically assessed. Eighteen people, of a total of 44, were interviewed. There were some differences in the subjective experience of appetite and the degree of control exercised over eating behaviour. Otherwise outcomes in cases and controls were similar. In the domains assessed, these two groups have similar outcomes from surgery.

• Craniopharyngioma
• Outcome
• Psychosocial