Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas (cranio = skull, pharynx = throat, oma = tumour) are benign tumours with a malignant clinical course and are a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeon and his expertise. They have a bimodal pattern of occurrence and present with visual and endocrine disturbances. The clinical pattern varies between the adult and the child. They are easily detected on x-ray, CT and MRI. In spite of its recognition in the late 1800s, no clear consensus has been reached with regards to its treatment. Philosophy of treatment is not only different among different surgeons but also in the span of a surgeon's career.