Parasellar tumors in children. I. Clinical presentation, preoperative assessment, and differential diagnosis.
This paper reviews the clinical presentation, neuro-ophthalmologic, endocrinologic, and radiographic findings of 74 children (0-20 years) harboring parasellar lesions who were treated on our service between 1968 and 1977. Our data support the conclusion that earlier diagnosis is occurring, although there is still a significant lag between onset of symptoms and treatment, especially in histologically benign lesions. The differential diagnosis is facilitated by recognition of key features of four major tumor types: craniopharyngioma, parasellar glioma, germinoma, and pituitary adenoma.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000175:diagnosis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*