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Acute presentation of craniopharyngioma in children and adults in a Danish national cohort

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Abstract

We aimed to study the occurrence of acute-onset symptoms at initial presentation in a national Danish cohort of patients with childhood- or adult-onset craniopharyngioma, and to investigate potential risk factors for acute presentation. Medical records of 189 consecutive patients (39 children, 150 adults) presenting with craniopharyngioma during the period 1985–2004 were reviewed, and data regarding initial symptoms, neuroimaging results, vision and pituitary function were systematically collected. Acute symptoms preceding hospital admission were noted. Subgroup analyses were based on age, gender and calendar year period. Potential risk factors for acute presentation were analysed through uni- and multivariate analyses. Acute symptoms were reported in 24 (13 %) patients. Acute visual symptoms, headache, nausea or vomiting were most frequently reported, and acute symptoms were more frequent among children (28 %) than among adults (9 %) (P < 0.01). There were no differences according to sex or calendar year period. Hydrocephalus was present in half of childhood cases and one-fifth of adult patients (P < 0.001). Intra-tumour haemorrhage was seen in two cases. Acute symptoms were more frequent among patients with tumours occupying the third ventricle (P < 0.01), radiologic signs of calcification (P < 0.05) or hydrocephalus (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, however, only childhood onset (P < 0.05) and calcification (P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for acute presentation. Craniopharyngioma presented with acute symptoms in 13 % of patients. Childhood onset and radiologic signs of calcification were independent risk factors for acute presentation. Intra-tumour haemorrhage was rare.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate constructive discussions with Dr. Jörgen Lindholm on this publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    E. H. Nielsen & P. Laurberg

  2. Medical Department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    J. O. Jørgensen

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    P. Bjerre

  4. Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    M. Andersen

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, Odense University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    C. Andersen

  6. Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    U. Feldt-Rasmussen

  7. Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    L. Poulsgaard

  8. Department of Endocrinology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    L. Ø. Kristensen

  9. Department of Neurosurgery, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    J. Astrup

  10. Department of Neurosurgery, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    J. Jørgensen

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  1. E. H. Nielsen
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Correspondence to E. H. Nielsen.

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Nielsen, E.H., Jørgensen, J.O., Bjerre, P. et al. Acute presentation of craniopharyngioma in children and adults in a Danish national cohort. Pituitary 16, 528–535 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-012-0451-3

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