Introduction
Craniopharyngioma, trauma, visual impairment, endocrine deficiencies, endocrine deficit, endocrine deficits, neuroepithelial tumor, malformation tumor
CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA, NEUROEPITHELIAL TUMOR
Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a histologically benign neuroepithelial tumor that is located in close proximity to critical neurovascular structures, such as the optic chiasm, hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This rare malformation tumor is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 10 years and is accompanied by endocrine deficiencies, visual impairment and other hormonal symptoms [CP may compress adjacent neural structures and impact the pituitary gland’s normal function; therefore, primary clinical manifestations of CP are endocrine deficits, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH) and gonadotropins (LH/FSH). The majority of patients with CP present with at least one endocrine deficit [Although neurosurgery and radiation therapy currently provide excellent control for pediatric CP [It is well known that anesthesia protects patients from experiencing a stress response caused by surgical trauma by suppressing the endocrine stress reaction and sympathoadrenal system [Anesthesiologists who administer anesthesia to children undergoing resection of CP are concerned with minimizing the interruption of the hypothalamic pituitary axis or the production and secretion of pituitary-derived hormones. Choosing a particular type of anesthetic to produce a preferred pattern of reaction of the endocrine system would be optimally homeostatic and beneficial for these pediatric patients with CP. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of studies comparing the effects of different anesthesia methods on the perioperative levels of hormones, and the issue remains somewhat of a clinical dilemma. Thus, we sought to undertake a study to determine the differences between inhalation anesthetics and total intravenous anesthesia in terms of their impact on hormone levels in pediatric patients with CP. This study would help to assure a high standard of treatment quality.