Definition
Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing, extra-axial, epithelial-squamous, calcified cystic tumor that develops near the pituitary gland. It occupies the suprasellar/sellar region and shows benign histology but malignant behavior, as it may invade surrounding areas and recur after treatment (Fahlbusch et al. 1999). Craniopharyngiomas may develop embryogenetically, arising from remnants of the craniopharyngeal duct and/or Rathke cleft, or metaplastically because of residual squamous epithelium. The most common presenting symptoms are endocrine dysfunction, headache, and visual disturbances. Craniopharyngiomas are treated with surgical excision or surgery followed by radiotherapy (Fig. 1).
(Courtesy Michael Fisher, MD, Peter C. Phillips, MD. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
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Fahlbusch, R., Honegger, J., Paulus, W., Huk, W., & Buchfelder, M. (1999). Surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas: Experience with 168 patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 90, 237–250.
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Moitra, E. (2018). Craniopharyngioma. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_100
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_100
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