Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma: a case report and review of the literature.
The ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma is a rare postoperative complication, for which there are fifteen reported cases that have been surgically verified. The authors present a rare case of ectopic recurrence along the tract of the surgical route. A 12-year-old girl, who had undergone total removal of a suprasellar craniopharyngioma 4 years previously, presented with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a strongly enhancing cystic tumor in the right frontal lobe, under the bone flap used for the previous craniotomy. Gross total resection was achieved by revision of previous craniotomy. The intraoperative findings revealed that the recurrent tumor was anatomically related to the previous surgical tract, suggesting dissemination along the operative tract. The histopathological features of the mass were the same as those of the previous suprasellar craniopharyngioma. The case presented here and a review of the reports on the previous instances of ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma suggest that meticulous protection of the surgical field and careful handling of the tumor during the operation are required. It should be emphasized that long-term follow-up is mandatory, even in patients who underwent a gross total removal.
Jeong
In-Ho
IH
Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Hospital & Medical School, Dong-ku, Gwangju, South Korea.
Lee
Jung-Kil
JK
Moon
Kyung-Sub
KS
Joo
Sung-Pil
SP
Kwak
Hyung-Jun
HJ
Kim
Tae-Sun
TS
Kim
Jae-Hyoo
JH
Kim
Soo-Han
SH
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002828:Choristoma; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome