title: MR and CT findings of craniopharyngioma during and after radiation therapy.
abstract: Long-term changes in craniopharyngioma treated with radiation therapy (RT) were investigated by computed tomography (CT) and/ or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Eight patients with craniopharyngioma were treated with incomplete resection or conservative surgical intervention followed by postoperative RT. The periods of tumor shrinkage were often long and varied (range: 6-68 months, mean: 29.1 months). Temporary enlargement of the solid component of a tumor usually occurs during RT and does not represent tumor progression. Cystic enlargement also occurs sometimes comparatively early after RT, and enlarged cysts often shrink with no treatment or with conservative treatment. These changes should be differentiated from tumor recurrence, with careful follow-up. After shrinkage, small solid or cystic nodules enhanced with contrast medium often remain. Long-term follow-up is necessary to differentiate uncontrolled tumors from controlled tumors with imaging modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Iidanishi, Japan. hamamoto@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamamoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosoya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome