Abstract
Introduction: Craniopharyngioma (CPs) are rare, nearly always benign epithelial tumors derived from cell remnants of Rathke's pouch. The overall incidence of CPs is 0.13 to 2 per 100,000 populations per year. Most frequently they are suprasellar in location and can be detected at any age. Objectives: To study clinicopathological features of craniopharyngioma in our region and compare the results with the reported literature. Methods: We retrospectively studied 18 patients with histological diagnosis of craniopharyngioma at King Faisal specialist Hospital Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the last 10 years. Clinical and pre operative imaging data was obtained from computerized medical records of the patients. Histopathological material was obtained by craniotomy. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained slides were examined through light microscope. Data was analyzed for age distribution, location, radiological appearance and pathological type. Data was expressed as mean (range) or percent as appropriate. Results: Of the 18 patients analyzed, 13 were males (72.2%) and 5 were females (27.8%) with ages ranging between 23 months and 75 years. Maximum (72.3%) of the cases were found in age groups < 25 year. On pre operative CT scan and MRI, the predominant location of CPs was suprasellar region in 12(80%) patients. The average size of tumour on imaging was 4.2 cm. Calcification was evident in 7 (77.7%) patients on CT scanning. MRI, revealed mixed solid and cystic nature of craniopharyngioma. The predominantly cystic were 46.2%, predominantly solid 30.8%, solid 7.7% and cystic 15.4%. Light microscopy revealed adamantinomatous type of histopathological pattern of CPs in 17 (94.4%) and papillary pattern in 1(5.5%) patient. Conclusion: Craniopharyngiomas were found as mixed solid and cystic calcified suprasellar tumors with an average size of 4 cm, occurring in young patients with male predominance. Most common pathological pattern was the adamantinomatous type.