Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for an Adult Patient With Giant Exophytic Chiasmatic/Hypothalamic Glioma.

Optic pathway hypothalamic gliomas are intrinsic low-grade gliomas involving the optic nerve, chiasm, optic tract, and hypothalamus. The rarity of these tumors and their unpredictable course make assessment and standardization of treatment modalities difficult. Tumor debulking via various transcranial approaches was considered to be effective at controlling tumor growth, but with high rates of severe surgery-related complications. In the present case, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery was initiated to debulk the exophytic chiasmatic/hypothalamic glioma with good preservation of hypothalamic and endocrine functions. The authors suggest transsphenoidal surgery with tumor debulking could be an effective and safe treatment for patients with chiasmatic/hypothalamic gliomas.