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Persistent craniopharyngeal canal, bilateral microphthalmia with colobomatous cysts, ectopic adenohypophysis with Rathke cleft cyst, and ectopic neurohypophysis: case report and review of the literature

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ABSTRACT

Introduction

Persistent craniopharyngeal canal (PCC) is a rare anomaly of the base of the skull. PCC is defined as a well-corticated osseous canal, extending from the roof of the nasopharynx to the base of the sella over the course of the sphenoid corpus. We reported a PCC case with unique associations. The magnetic resonance imaging findings are discussed.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 2-year-old boy with persistent craniopharyngeal canal, bilateral microphtalmia with large colobomatous cyst, and ectopic adenohypophysis with Rathke cleft cyst. He also has ectopic neurohypophysis and optic atrophy.

Conclusion

The presence of orbital and optic tract malformations, craniofacial and intracranial anomalies, and tumors can accompany craniopharyngeal canals (CCs). MRI is helpful in the evaluation of PCC and associated anomalies in these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Şehit Ömer Halisdemir Cad. Kurtdereli Sok, 06110, Ankara, Altındağ, Turkey

    Nazlı Gülsüm Akyel, Ayşe Gül Alımlı, Tülin Hakan Demirkan & Mesut Sivri

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  1. Nazlı Gülsüm Akyel
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  2. Ayşe Gül Alımlı
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  3. Tülin Hakan Demirkan
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Correspondence to Nazlı Gülsüm Akyel.

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Akyel, N.G., Alımlı, A.G., Demirkan, T.H. et al. Persistent craniopharyngeal canal, bilateral microphthalmia with colobomatous cysts, ectopic adenohypophysis with Rathke cleft cyst, and ectopic neurohypophysis: case report and review of the literature. Childs Nerv Syst 34, 1407–1410 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-018-3747-4

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