Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1947

Purpose: The present study aims to evaluate alterations in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in pediatric patients following surgical resection of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP) and to identify tumor characteristics factors influencing these alterations, including changes in the lesion’s location.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 73 eyes from 38 patients with CP and 64 eyes from 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The mean age of the CP patients was 10,5 ± 4,1 years (range 4–17), while the control group had a mean age of 10,1 ± 4,2 years (range 4–17). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assess the peripapillary RNFL thickness in the study and control groups. RNFL thickness was analyzed in the superior, inferior, and average sectors and across eight optic nerve sectors. Tumor characteristics and endocrine and neurological complications were evaluated to determine their correlation with changes in RNFL thickness.

Results: Postoperative thickness of peripapillary RNFL and individual sectors was significantly reduced in the CP group compared to healthy controls. Tumor maximum diameter and volume, calcification, presence of Rosenthal fibers, total resection, recurrence, progression, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt correlated with damage of RNFL.

Conclusions: CP is associated with significant reductions in RNFL thickness, reflecting the impact of the tumor on optic nerve fibers. OCT is a valuable tool for monitoring visual pathway impairment and postoperative outcomes. Regular RNFL evaluation should be integrated into the long-term care of CP patients to optimize visual prognosis and detect progressive or residual damage.