Suprasellar squamous papillary craniopharyngioma: a case report

Craniopharyngiomas are benign neoplasms that are usually suprasellar in origin. They are considered a type of pituitary tumor that can cause hyposecretion of anterior pituitary hormones or hypopituitarism. Clinically, they may cause visual and endocrine deficiencies similar to pituitary adenoma. Histopathologically, they are distinct from pituitary adenoma and are generally classified as either adamantinomatous or squamous papillary. Adamantinomatous tumors are more common in children, whereas the squamous papillary type is found almost exclusively in adults.

A 45-year-old white man came to our clinic with a history of decreased vision in his left eye for the previous five months that fluctuated. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a suprasellar multilobular mass, which was distinguishable from the pituitary gland. The patient underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy for resection of the tumor. Histopathological analysis showed a benign squamous epithelial-lined mass consistent with squamous papillary craniopharyngioma.

Craniopharyngiomas are generally considered to be adamantinomatous or squamous papillary in origin. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging has been used to distinguish between these two types of tumors, although clinically no significant difference has been found with respect to resectability. Clinical presentation, treatment options, recurrence, and differential diagnosis of craniopharyngiomas are discussed.