Longitudinal study on quality of life in 102 survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma.

Objects: We longitudinally analysed functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in 102 patients with a childhood craniopharyngioma during follow-up.

Methods: The Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg (FMH) ability scale was used for QoL assessment. Multivariate analysis evaluated FMH scores at various time points, examining hypothalamus involvement (HI), body mass index (BMI), degree of resection, tumour progression, relapse and irradiation.

Functional capacity and body mass index in patients with sellar masses--cross-sectional study on 403 patients diagnosed during childhood and adolescence.

Rationale: We analyzed the impact of tumour localization and histology on functional capacity (FC) and body mass index (BMI) in children with sellar masses.

Methods: FC was evaluated using the ability scale Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg in 403 children and adolescents with sellar masses (276 craniopharyngioma, 14 germinoma, 21 optic/chiasmatic glioma, 40 hypothalamic glioma, 13 cysts of Rathke's cleft and 39 other sellar masses). Besides tumour localization, the influence of gender, irradiation and age at diagnosis and at evaluation on FC and BMI was analyzed.

Current strategies in diagnostics and endocrine treatment of patients with childhood craniopharyngioma during follow-up--recommendations in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000.

Craniopharyngiomas are rare dysontogenetic malformations. As the survival rate after craniopharyngioma diagnosed during childhood and adolescence is high, prognosis and quality of life (QoL) in survivors mainly depend on adverse late effects such as hypopituitarism and obesity. Appropriate laboratory diagnostics of endocrine deficiencies and sufficient hormonal substitution have significant impact on prognosis and QoL.

Prognosis and sequela in patients with childhood craniopharyngioma -- results of HIT-ENDO and update on KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000.

The overall survival rate of patients with craniopharyngioma, an embryogenic malformation, is high (0.92 +/- 0.03).

Longitudinal study on growth and body mass index before and after diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma.

We analyzed whether childhood craniopharyngioma predisposes to obesity and growth impairment. Height/length, body mass index (BMI), and hypothalamic involvement were evaluated in 90 patients at standardized ages and time points before, after, and at the time of diagnosis. Relevant decreases in height sd score (SDS) started at 10-12 months of age and persisted until diagnosis of childhood craniopharyngioma.

Functional capacity, obesity and hypothalamic involvement: cross-sectional study on 212 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma.

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of hypothalamic involvement of craniopharyngioma on functional capacity (FC) and obesity in 212 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma. FC could be evaluated using an ability scale (Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg [FMH]) in 174 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma. Obesity was quantified in 212 patients at the time of diagnosis and at the time of latest evaluation by body mass index SDS [BMI].

Perioperative dexamethasone treatment in childhood craniopharyngioma--influence on short-term and long-term weight gain.

The substitution of dexamethasone during and after surgery of childhood craniopharyngioma is necessary in order to treat and/or prevent brain edema and adrenal insufficiency. Early post-operative weight gain is a predictor for severe obesity during long-term follow-up. In a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma we inquired whether dose and duration of perioperative dexamethasone therapy (n = 68) had influence on short-term post-operative weight gain and long-term development of severe obesity.

Volumetric bone mineral density in patients with childhood craniopharyngioma.

As the overall survival rate is high in patients with craniopharyngioma, the prognosis in survivors depends mainly on late effects. Late effects such as hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, glucocorticoid overreplacement and obesity have a strong impact on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD). We analyzed vBMD and possible risk factors for reduced vBMD in 61 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma (29 f; 32 m) and in 14 weight, age, and sex-matched controls.