[Analysis of ocular changes in children craniopharyngioma].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of ocular changes in children craniopharyngioma.

Methods: Retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 34 eyes from 17 patients with children craniopharyngioma treated at the affiliated Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2011 to May 2012 were collected. Records of preoperative clinical examinations including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field test, optic disc findings, size and location of the tumor were analyzed.

Results: The age of the patients was from 5 to 14 years old [mean (10.29 ± 3.22) years] with the male/female ratio of 1.83: 1. The most affected age group was 8 to 12 years old. Deficits in BCVA occurred in 79.41% (27/34). Abnormal optic disc findings occurred in 44.12% which included optic disk edema 5.9% (2/34), atrophic changes of the optic nerve 32.35% (11/34) and pale optic disc 5.9% (2/34). Various visual field defects were 76.47% (26/34).

Conclusion: Declines of visual acuities and defects of visual fields were more severe than optic disc damages in children patients with craniopharyngioma.