Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors in the brain located at the base of the skull near the pituitary gland. Most craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors. They account for between 2%-4% of adult and between 5%-13% of childhood primary brain tumors. Patients with these tumors don't usually have symptoms until the tumor grows and pushes against the optic nerve, pituitary gland or the brain. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, balance issues, difficulty speaking, confusion, seizures, hearing difficulties, and hormonal disorders. To diagnose craniopharyngioma doctors can evaluate the patient clinically by testing their hearing, vision, balance, coordination, reflexes and hormone levels. Imaging studies can be used to confirm clinical evaluation. MRI would show good soft tissue contrast and is the imaging modality of choice. Other imaging could include CT, Angiogram, MRS, SPECT, and PET. Treatments for craniopharyngioma, given separate or together, can give patients a high rate of long term survival. Surgery, external radiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and intracavity irradiation, are included in the therapies along with the occasional use of chemotherapy.

The images above are a sagittal T1 weighted MRI image on the left and an axial CT scan on the right, both showing a craniopharyngioma.