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Craniopharyngioma is a slow-growing, rare, histologically benign brain tumor affecting children between the ages of 5 and 14 and older adults
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It is extra-axial, arises near the pituitary gland, and commonly contains solid and cystic components
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Pressure on the pituitary gland and optic nerves produces headache, visual symptoms and endocrine abnormalities
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The most common type, adamantinomatous, is seen predominantly in children
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The tumor often contains single or multiple cysts filled with thick oily fluid rich in protein, blood products, and/or cholesterol, giving the so-called “motor oil” fluid appearance
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Solid components are variable in intensity on T1 and T2 imaging and enhance vividly on T1 imaging with contrast
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Cysts are variable in signal on T1 imaging due to high protein content and blood products, and variable but usually hyperintense on T2 imaging
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Large tumors often compress the midbrain, causing obstructive hydrocephalus
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Appoximately 90% of craniopharyngiomas have calcifications, 90% have cysts, 90% enhance, and 90% are suprasellar
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CT scanning is preferred over MRI for showing calcification in the tumor
- Plaza MJ, Borja MJ, Altman N, Saigal G. Review. Conventional and advanced MRI features of pediatric intracranial tumors: posterior fossa and suprasellar tumors. AJR 2013; 200:1115-1124
