Neuroradiology of Craniopharyngiomas

Abstract

Craniopharyngiomas are solid and cystic tumors derived from remnants of the hypophyseal duct which usually grow in the suprasellar region; they also often grow in the sella turcica, and, much more rarely, in the third ventricle or in the sphenoid bone. They originate, therefore, along this midline axis, but they may extend, particularly with their cystic components, laterally into the middle fossa, anteriorly into the subfrontal region, and posteriorly into the posterior fossa.