Incidence, management and outcome of craniopharyngioma in Kenyatta National Hospital
View/ Open
Date
2009Author
Ekitela, Stephen N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND
Craniopharyngiomas are benign intracranial tumours with a bimodal distribution, with peak
incidence in children aged 5-14 years and older adults aged 65-74 years. There is no clear
consensus reached with regards to its treatment and no reliable criteria for accurately predicting
the clinical outcome of these tumours. This study focused on the presentation, management and
outcome of patients with craniopharyngiomas.
METHODOLOGY
This was a combined retrospective and prospective study for patients admitted at KNH with a
confirmed diagnosis of craniopharyngiomas. The study covered the period January 2003 to
December 2008 and a follow up of three-six months at the Neurosurgery clinic was undertaken.
The retrospective part of the study was from January 2003 to October 2007 while the prospective
was from November 2007 to December 2008. The following data was entered into a standardized
questionnaire: ~demographics, clinical presentation, management and outcome.
Data was processed using appropriate analytical packages including SPSS, Chi square and
descriptive statistics such as median, mean and frequency distribution was used to analyze data.
Results are presented in .charts, graphs and tables followed by a discussion. Conclusions and
recommendations made there after.
RESULTS
There were 20 males and 21 females all totaling to 41. Majority (68.3%) were in the age,
bracket o~19 years. The incidence of craniopharyngioma at Kenyatta National Hospital is
7.1%. majority of patients presented with headache and visual disturbances, 90% and
78% respectively.
Most patients (56.1%) were dead within six months of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant association between outcome with age and gender. Outcome
was better in patients done biopsy/ partial resection, patients who had radiotheraphy in
addition to surgery although not statistically significant.
Only 42.5% of the patients had radiotherapy in addition to surgery which had a positive
impact on the outcome.
There is need for patients to receive post-operative radiotherapy and adequate follow-up
investigations to assist in patient rehabilitation/care.
Citation
Master of Medicine in General Surgery The University Of Nairobi, 2009Publisher
University of Nairobi. Faculty of Medicine