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Congenital craniopharyngioma: a case report and literature review

Farida Chentli1, Faiza Belhimer, Farid Kessaci

  • 1Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Bab El Oued University Hospital, Algiers, Algeria. endofarida@hotmail.fr

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|January 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Craniopharyngiomas, rare congenital tumors, can be life-threatening even if undiagnosed early. This case highlights a severe, rapidly progressing tumor in an infant, emphasizing the need for vigilant prenatal monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Craniopharyngiomas are congenital tumors rarely diagnosed prenatally.
  • Large tumors can be debilitating and life-threatening, as illustrated by this case.

Observation:

  • A 21-month-old girl presented with a diagnosed craniopharyngioma at 5 months due to neurological complications.
  • Imaging revealed a large (5 cm), complex supra sellar mass causing hydrocephalus and brainstem displacement.
  • Despite interventions, the patient experienced blindness, hemiparesis, seizures, and died at age 2.

Findings:

  • A large head circumference at birth, significant tumor burden, blindness, and hemiparesis by 5 months were noted.
  • These clinical signs suggested an antenatal origin for the craniopharyngioma.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for severe, undetected congenital craniopharyngiomas.
  • Inadequate gestational monitoring may lead to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes for life-threatening pediatric tumors.
Abstract

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