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. 2012 Mar 27:3:39.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00039. eCollection 2012.

Intracystic therapies for cystic craniopharyngioma in childhood

Ute Bartels  1 , Normand Laperriere, Eric Bouffet, James Drake
Affiliations

Intracystic therapies for cystic craniopharyngioma in childhood

Ute Bartels et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Introduction: Craniopharyngioma of childhood are commonly cystic in nature. An intracystic catheter insertion and subsequent instillation of substances inducing cyst shrinkage seems a beneficial strategy avoiding additional morbidity in a highly vulnerable brain location.

Methods: A systematic review of the medical literature was performed to identify potentially relevant, all languages articles using Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to July 2011 and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to third quarter 2011. All references were examined for relevancy.

Results: Of 142 unique references, 71 referred to substances used for intracystic craniopharyngioma treatment. General aspects of intracystic catheter insertion as well as response rates, risks, and outcomes of children treated with intracystic radioisotopes, bleomycin, and interferon (IFN) are critically reviewed and an outline for potential future endeavors provided.

Conclusion: IFN seems currently the intracystic substance with the best benefit risk ratio. The authors advocate for consensus on prospective data collection and standardized intracystic treatment strategies to allow reliable comparisons and herewith optimize treatment and outcome.

Keywords: bleomycin; children; craniopharyngioma; interferon; intracystic therapy; radioisotopes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SickKids standard of care protocol for intracystic interferon administration.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Child with complete maintained response after 2 courses with intracystic interferon.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Permeability study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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