Prognostic Utility of Optical Coherence Tomography for Visual Outcome After Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Adult Craniopharyngiomas

Abstract Optical coherence tomography (OCT) serving as a novel high resolution imaging technique can assess the retinal morphology. At present, a few studies are reported with limited evidence on the predictive value of OCT for visual outcome after optic nerve decompression. This study aims to utilize the largest series of adult craniopharyngiomas to evaluate the association between OCT parameters and visual outcome following the extended endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEES). From October 2018 to October 2020, one hundred and seventy eyes in 88 adult patients with craniopharyngiomas were retrospectively reviewed. Gross total resection was performed in 82 (93.2%) patients. The median follow-up time was 10.9 months. Our study showed that increased temporal circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness was associated with higher odds of visual acuity (VA) improvement and maintenance (OR=1.070; P=0.035), and greater inferior cpRNFL thickness was significantly associated with visual field (VF) improvement and maintenance (OR=1.034; P=0.046). Tight adhesion was demonstrated as an independent adverse factor for either postoperative VA or VF (P=0.048, P=0.030, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further verified the robustness of the prediction model either in VA (AUC=0.842; P<0.001) or VF (AUC=0.849; P<0.001). Preoperative OCT can effectively predict visual outcome after EEES for adult craniopharyngiomas. It can also serve as a reliable alternative to evaluate preoperative visual filed defects, especially for patients with lower compliance. Tight adhesion was confirmed as an independent risk factor for postoperative visual outcome. The OCT-based multivariable prediction models developed in present study may contribute to patient counseling on visual prognosis.