title: Hypothalamic-opticochiasmatic gliomas mimicking craniopharyngiomas.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of suprasellar masses in the pediatric age group includes craniopharyngiomas and hypothalamic-opticochiasmatic gliomas (HOCGs). These tumors frequently display unique features on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. We review two cases of pediatric suprasellar HOCGs with preoperative imaging characteristics resembling those of craniopharyngioma. HOCGs mimicking craniopharyngiomas represent a diagnostic and operative challenge to the pediatric neurosurgeon. Although an accurate leading pathologic diagnosis can frequently be made with preoperative neuroimaging, the neurosurgeon must be prepared for discovery of another tumor type and have plans to proceed accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt., USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bisson
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khoshyomn
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braff
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maugans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000601:surgery; D019574:Optic Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*