Perinatally diagnosed congenital craniopharyngiomas in the KRANIOPHARYNGEOM trials

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare embryonic tumors. Clinical presentation and outcome of patients perinatally diagnosed with congenital CP (cCP) are not clear and refer mainly to a few case reports in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical presentation and outcome in patients with cCP.

Three hundred and sixty-one patients diagnosed with adamantinomatous CP were recruited 2007-2022 in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007/Registry 2019 and prospectively observed. In two cases, cCP was diagnosed prenatally and in one case on the second day of life. Pre- and perinatal diagnostic findings, postnatal evaluation, and therapeutic interventions and outcome in these three cases of cCP were analyzed.

All patients survived. One patient developed psychomotor retardation and a mild hemiparesis. Prenatal routine ultrasound examination led to the diagnosis of cCP. Tumor resection was performed during the early postnatal period (range: 11-51 days of age). Functional capacity, measured by Fertigkeitenskala-Münster-Heidelberg (FMH) was reduced in three and behavioral parameters, measured by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were abnormal in two cases.

cCP is a rare diagnosis with a prevalence of 0.83% in our study group. Compared to cases reported in the literature, the presented cases were treated immediately and had a better prognosis. Based on improvements of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, prenatal diagnosis of cCP should lead to transfer prior to delivery of cCP patients to a specialized center for delivery and postnatal treatment of newborns with sellar masses by a multidisciplinary team to secure the improved prognosis of these patients.

We previously reported that lower event-free survival rates after craniopharyngioma are associated with younger age at diagnosis. Perinatally diagnosed congenital craniopharyngiomas are very rare. This article presents three unique cases with congenital craniopharyngioma, comparing their diagnostics, therapy, and development. All three cases had surgery during the early postnatal period with sparing of the posterior hypothalamus. In each case, endocrinopathy was present at follow-up. Low functional capacity was reported in all cases and an abnormal total difficulties score in two cases. Compared to the literature, the presented cases had better prognosis in morbidity and mortality. This report and the review of the literature confirm the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnostic and treatment of the very rare condition of congenital craniopharyngioma.