Pediatric Suprasellar Tumors. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The various childhood suprasellar tumors, while pathologically distinct, present similar clinical and surgical challenges as a result of their common anatomic location. These lesions are in close proximity to or may invade the optic nerve and chiasm, pituitary gland and infundibulum, hypothalamus, and third ventricle, leading to presenting features including visual field loss, impairment in visual acuity, endocrine dysfunction, and hydrocephalus. Though many suprasellar lesions are relatively benign in pathology, treatment may be complicated by high surgical morbidity resulting from damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Here we review the most frequent pediatric lesions occurring in the suprasellar region: craniopharyngioma, chiasmatic glioma, germ cell tumor, Rathke cleft and arachnoid cysts, pituitary adenoma, and histiocytosis. This review outlines both common presenting features and differentiating aspects of these lesions. It also includes classic radiographic presentations and treatment considerations for each lesion.

publication date

  • December 15, 2015

Research

keywords

  • Brain Neoplasms

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84988696730

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/0883073815620671

PubMed ID

  • 26676303

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 31

issue

  • 12