Craniopharyngioma presenting during pregnancy 4 years after a normal magnetic resonance imaging scan: case report

Craniopharyngiomas, epithelial tumors of the hypothalamic and pituitary region, are thought to have congenital origins. It has been postulated that hormonal influences may stimulate growth in adults. This report describes a case and reviews the literature.

The case is discussed of a 39-year-old woman who experienced symptoms from a craniopharyngioma diagnosed during a pregnancy that resulted from in vitro fertilization. A magnetic resonance imaging scan performed 4 years previously had disclosed nothing abnormal.

The patient underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy with total resection of the suprasellar tumor, which was dissected from the pituitary stalk.

This case suggests a possible link in the adult patient between the growth of this supposedly congenital tumor and hormonal stimulation.