Temporary blindness after surgery for craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas are the third frequent pediatric brain tumors. Complicat ions after surgical treatment are common. The most frequent complications a re endocrine disturbances, vision field defects, deteriorated acuity, cogni tive or psychological deficiency as well as significant weight gain. A case of complete vision loss right after surgical removal of craniopharyngioma is reported. Magnetic resonance image showed an edema of the chiasm. No dam age of anatomical structure could be detected. Seventeen days after surgery the patient reported intermittent visual impressions for; the first time. Over the following weeks his visus improved to 0.5, while the chiasm edema disappeared. Discussion: Even weeks after surgery-induced blindness regeneration of suff icient visus is possible.