Craniopharyngioma - Case 3

A 32 year-old man presented with progressive headaches and trouble with his vision.


Note the Gadolinium Enhancement of the Tumor     Note the Cystic Component     Note the Enlarged Ventricles

Craniopharyngioma. T1-weighted with gadolinium axial MRIs. Note the presence of a suprasellar mass that enhances with gadolinium and is associated with a large cystic component. Surgical removal demonstrated a craniopharyngioma.

Craniopharyngiomas arise in the suprasellar region and are often calcified and cystic. They are slow growing tumors that occur in children and adults, and can become very large in size. In children, they are thought to occur as a result of impaired embryogenesis of structures in or near the infundibulum of the pituitary gland. In adults, they are believed to occur as a result of metaplasia of pituitary squamous epithelium. Similar to pituitary macroadenomas, they may present with endocrine dysfunction or focal neurological signs due to mass effect in the suprasellar region.


Revised 11/28/06.
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston