The rhinologist's role in the management of rathke's cleft cysts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent literature regarding the growing role of rhinologists and otolaryngologists with neurosurgeons in the joint multidisciplinary team approach for managing patients with Rathke's cleft cysts (RCC).

RECENT FINDINGS: The transnasal endoscopic approach to the skull base has become relatively mainstream for surgical treatment of RCCs. Suprasellar lesions, especially those that are purely suprasellar, are associated with higher recurrence rates, though an extended approach may improve dissection and access and therefore aid in lesion removal. Endoscopic cyst drainage is a well tolerated and effective way to treat RCC, and often avoids the postoperative endocrinopathies associated with complete cyst wall removal. Novel techniques have been described for maintaining tract patency, including the use of stents and flaps, in order to prevent cyst stenosis and reaccumulation. A frontier in skull base surgery is in applications for pediatric patients, and managing RCCs in this population surgically appears to be associated with positive outcomes overall.

SUMMARY: Team-based endoscopic skull base surgery has spurred advances in our understanding of skull base disease, including RCCs. Optimal outcomes are most apparent when the experience and technique of both the endoscopist and neurosurgeon have developed jointly over time.