Hypothalamic obesity in adults with craniopharyngiomas: prevalence and risk factors before and after neurosurgical treatment

Hypothalamic obesity (weight gain due to hypothalamic damage) is a common complication of surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas. Data on the prevalence and clinical features of hypothalamic obesity in adults with craniopharyngiomas are scarce, and reports on prognostic factors are contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of hypothalamic obesity before and after neurosurgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 99 adults with craniopharyngioma. A comprehensive examination was performed. Damage to hypothalamic-pituitary structures was assessed using preoperative MRI, clinical, laboratory and intraoperative data. RESULTS: =0.013). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors of hypothalamic obesity were preoperative body mass index with a cutoff value of 27 kg/m² and third ventricular bottom lesions due to tumor infiltration. No effect of histological type of craniopharyngioma, surgical approach or extent of surgery on the incidence of hypothalamic obesity was found. CONCLUSION: There was high incidence of hypothalamic obesity due to tumor growth and surgical treatment in adults with craniopharyngioma. Predictors of hypothalamic obesity after surgery for craniopharyngioma were baseline body mass index and damage to third ventricle bottom.