[Craniopharyngioma in children: MRI study of 43 cases].
OBJECTIVE
Craniopharyngiomas are intra-cranial tumors, relatively frequent in children, expanding in the pituitary stalk axis, from the third ventricle to the sphenoid body. Plain films and CT scan generally show a calcified lesion, deforming the sella turcica. MRI improves tumor description and topographic and structural analysis of the lesion. The aim of this study is to analyze the MRI aspect of craniopharyngiomas in a pediatric population and to correlate findings with surgical data.


METHODS
MR and CT studies of 43 pediatric cases of histology-proven craniopharyngiomas were reviewed retrospectively. Tumor emergence, extensions and signal on different sequences were recorded. We searched for radio-surgical correlations.


RESULTS
Craniopharyngiomas can be classified into two groups: intra-sellar tumors and third ventricle floor tumors (infundibulum and tuber cinereum). Preferential routes of extension are observed in each group correlated with consistency (cystic and/or solid). Surgical data confirmed these results.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is crucial for the pre-therapeutic evaluation of craniopharyngiomas allowing not only a detailed description of the tumor but also guiding therapeutic decisions. This series demonstrated that craniopharyngiomas exhibit two different types of localization and behavior. Embryonic development of the tumor explains the topographical differences.
Brunel
H
H
Service de Neuroradiologie, Hôpital d'Adultes de La Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France. brunelh@aol.com
Raybaud
C
C
Peretti-Viton
P
P
Lena
G
G
Girard
N
N
Paz-Paredes
A
A
Levrier
O
O
Farnarier
P
P
Manera
L
L
Choux
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016634:Radiosurgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed