Neuroradiological diagnosis of craniopharyngiomas

Abstract

The imaging finding in craniopharyngioma is related to the morphology and the structure of its two subtypes: Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is a cystic, partially calcific suprasellar mass, displacing the surrounding anatomical structures; after gadolinium administration, it demonstrates enhancement of the cystic wall. The papillary subtype is a mixed solid/cystic lesion, without calcifications, that inhomogeneously enhances after gadolinium administration. Important is differential diagnosis with other suprasellar lesions, as macroadenoma, astrocytoma, Rathke cleft cyst, or giant aneurysm.