Foetal craniopharyngioma diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and confirmed by histopathological examination.
BACKGROUND
Craniopharyngioma is an intracranial tumour, which usually develops in children and young adults and rarely occurs in intrauterine life.


METHODS
In foetal life, ultrasonography and later computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are regarded to be the most effective tools of diagnosis.


RESULTS
In the seven cases published earlier, tumour size was below our finding of 96 x 80 x 65 mm(3). In relation to the current case report, we aimed at surveying the available information on prenatal craniopharyngioma.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the tumour is benign, the neurological and ophthalmologic complications, arising due to its expansive growth, are suggestive of a poor prognosis. Despite the high mortality and morbidity rates, neurosurgical treatment appears to be the sole option.
Joó
József Gábor
JG
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary. joogabor@hotmail.com
Rigó
János
J
Sápi
Zoltán
Z
Timár
Botond
B
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography