[Craniopharyngioma of the adults. Three cases]

Craniopharyngioma, an intra- and suprasellar tumor generally observed in pediatric patients, can also occur in adults. We report three cases of histologically confirmed craniopharyngioma in three men aged 34 to 53 Years. Clinical manifestations were headache with visual and gonadic disorders associating impotence, infertiligy, and gynecomastia. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intra- and suprasellar tumor with solid, hydric, and calcified components. Third ventricle compression was observed in two patients. Hormone test revealed gonadotrope insufficiency in two patients, associated with hyperprolactinemia in one of them, and pituitary insufficiency in the third patient. None of the patients had diabetes insipidus. The frontopterional approach was used for surgery. One patient died and the two others experienced persistent visual impairment with worsening pituitary insufficiency. Our observations suggest that these craniopharyngiomas were probably clinically latent congienital forms since endocrine features were lacking during childhood. Early diagnosis is required to achieve good outcome.