Craniopharyngioma CT
|
Craniopharyngioma Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Craniopharyngioma CT On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Craniopharyngioma CT |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]
Overview
CT
Although similar in terms of location, radiographic features depend on the type, although due to a significant minority of tumor having both adamantinomatous and papillary components many show overlapping features.[1]
Adamantinomatous
Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is the most common form (90%), and typically have a lobulated contour as a result of usually multiple cystic lesions. Solid components are present, but usually form a relatively minor component of the mass, and enhance vividly on CT scans. The calcification is very common (90%). These tumor have a predilection to be large, extending superiorly into the third ventricle, and encasing vessels, and even being adherent to adjacent structures. The findings on CT are:
- Cysts
- Typically large and a dominant feature
- Near CSF density
- Solid component
- Soft tissue density
- Enhancement in 90%
- Calcification
- Seen in 90%
- Typically stippled and often peripheral in location
Papillary
Papillary craniopharyngioma tend to be more spherical in outline and usually lack the prominent cystic component; most are either solid or contain a few smaller cysts. Calcification is uncommon or even rare in the papillary subtype. These tumors tend to displace adjacent structures. The findings on the CT are:
- Cysts
- Small and not a major feature
- Near CSF density
- Solid component
- Soft tissue density
- Vivid enhancement
- Calcification
- Uncommon, rare
References
- ↑ Imaging of Craniopharyngioma. Dr Dylan Kurda and Dr Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2015. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/craniopharyngioma