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Metastatic craniopharyngioma: case report and literature review

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Abstract

Background

Distant spread of craniopharyngioma is a rare but important complication. Most cases are a result of spread along the surgical path. We describe a rare case of metastatic leptomeningeal craniopharyngioma as a result of dissemination along CSF pathways in a child. A review of previously described cases is provided.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old male was diagnosed with metastatic craniopharyngioma on routine follow-up imaging after multiple surgeries and radiation for locally recurrent craniopharyngioma. The lesion was erosive through the right parietal bone, but had remained clinically silent. The lesion was distant from previous surgical paths. The patient underwent right parietal craniotomy and resection of the lesion. Duraplasty and cranioplasty were necessary for closure. Histopathology confirmed adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. One-year follow-up demonstrated no recurrence.

Discussion

A review of reported cases suggests that leptomeningeal implantation may be an important step in metastases of craniopharyngioma, although the mechanism is poorly understood. Attention to tumor spillage at the time of surgery may be important in preventing distant recurrences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0W8, Canada

    Evan Mark Frangou, Lissa Marie Ogieglo & Aleksander Michal Vitali

  2. Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0W8, Canada

    Jennifer Ruth Tynan

  3. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0W8, Canada

    Christopher Adam Robinson

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  1. Evan Mark Frangou
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  2. Jennifer Ruth Tynan
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Correspondence to Evan Mark Frangou.

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Frangou, E.M., Tynan, J.R., Robinson, C.A. et al. Metastatic craniopharyngioma: case report and literature review. Childs Nerv Syst 25, 1143–1147 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0917-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0917-4

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