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Craniopharyngioma

Donna Marie McMahon, FAAP, DO Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

A rare neoplasm of the CNS (1

DESCRIPTION

  • Benign epithelioid tumor, usually suprasellar, partially calcified, solid, or mixed solid–cystic that arises from remnants of the craniopharyngeal duc...

DIAGNOSIS

A craniopharyngioma may go undiagnosed for years. 

HISTORY

  • Eye: visual changes, blurriness, loss of peripheral vision (visual symptoms will vary depending on how the tumor affects the optic ch...

TREATMENT

Gross-total resection, subtotal resection, endoscopic endonasal surgery, cyst drainage followed by radiation (1

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Avoidance of driving, operating machinery, playing sports, o...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Postoperative MRI, within 2 months of surgery, to confirm that the extent of the resection was as planned; follow-up MRI/CT scans recommended by...

REFERENCES

1
Madsen PJ, Buch VP, Douglas JE, et al. Endoscopic endonasal resection versus open surgery for pediatric craniopharyngioma: comparison of outcomes and complications [published online ahead ...

CODES

ICD10

D35.3 Benign neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct 

SNOMED

  • 189179009 Craniopharyngioma (disorder)

  • 134216001 Adamantinous craniopharyngioma

  • 128782006 Craniopharyngioma, papillary

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Although considered a “benign” tumor, a craniopharyngioma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management of these tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach.

  • Hormo...

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