Craniopharyngioma

Case contributed by Dr Lee-Anne Slater

Diagnosis probable

Presentation

71 year old man presented with headaches.

Patient Data

Age: 71 yrs

Gender: Male

From the case: Craniopharyngioma

Modality: MRI

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Axial T2

A mass expanding the pituitary fossa and demonstrating predominantly downward growth.

This mass was seen to be separate from and displace the pituitary superiorly. There was no invasion of the cavernous sinus or carotid arteries with these vessels seen draped over the mass.

Within the mass there was areas of low T2 signal which on the non contrast CT were seen to correspond to areas of calcification.

There is no significant contrast enhancement.

The above findings make this most likely a craniopharyngioma arising in the pituitary fossa with predominantly downward growth.

Case Discussion

This patient presented with a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma made on a non-contrast CT performed at another hospital.

An MRI was performed which demonstrated a mass expanding the pituitary fossa and demonstrating predominantly downward growth.

This mass was seen to be separate from and displace the pituitary superiorly. There was no invasion of the cavernous sinus or carotid arteries with these vessels seen draped over the mass.

Within the mass there was areas of low T2 signal which on the non contrast CT were seen to correspond to areas of calcification.

There is no significant contrast enhancement.

The above findings make this most likely a craniopharyngioma arising in the pituitary fossa with predominantly downward growth.