Memory deficits among children with craniopharyngiomas.

Objective: To describe neuropsychological functioning (with a specific focus on cognition and memory) after surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas.

Methods: Sixteen patients who were between 6 and 15 years of age at the time of surgery comprised the sample. Each child had been treated for a craniopharyngioma with surgery only, on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Protocol 92-077.

Results: The overall level of cognitive functioning was well within the average range, with both language and visuospatial functioning being generally intact; however, specific memory problems, in both the language and visuospatial domains, were evident.

Conclusion: Although general cognitive functioning was intact after the surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas, difficulties in the retrieval of learned information were observed. Neuropsychological assessments, with a focus on memory recall, should be a component of the medical management plan for each child.