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Updated: Jul 3, 2025

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Persistent craniopharyngeal canal with an associated sphenoid sinus fistula
Chase C Dougherty1,2, Barton F Branstetter3,4,5
1Department of Family Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Altoona, USA.
Abstract:
Persistent craniopharyngeal canal (PCC) is a rare congenital anomaly that appears as a linear well-corticated canal running from the sella through the clivus and into the nasopharynx. Case reports of this anomaly have shown it is associated with a range of craniofacial defects, pituitary abnormalities, and meningoencephaloceles. It predisposes patients to bacterial meningitis. In this case a 46-year-old gentleman presenting for preoperative planning for surgical drainage of Potts Puffy tumor was found to have a PCC on CT and MRI. Imaging also demonstrated the presence of chronic inflammation and a fistula extending from the tract into the sphenoid sinus. This unusual presentation of a PCC with a sphenoid sinus fistula broadens the potential clinical presentations of PCC and further emphasizes the ability of this anomaly to serve as a conduit for CNS infection.
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