Transsphenoidal (Large Craniopharyngeal) Canal Associated with a Normally  Functioning Pituitary Gland and Nasopharyngeal Extension, Hyperprolactinemia,  and Hypothalamic Hamartoma

Ekinci, Gazanfer; Kılıç, Türker; Baltacıoğlu, Feyyaz; Elmacı, İlhan; Altun, Ersan; Pamir, M. Necmettin; Erzen, Canan

doi:10.2214/ajr.180.1.1800076

“…Some authors defend the hypothesis that it represents the remnant of the ascending track followed by Rathke's pouch through the sphenoid bone from the nasopharynx up to the sella turcica 5,8,13,20,28 . This hypothesis is supported by histological studies that describe the presence of normal and tumoral pituitary tissue inside the channel 20 , by case reports of panhypopituitarism following adenoidectomy 8,13,28 , by Erdheim's theories and the case reports of infrasellar or nasopharyngeal craneopharyngiomas associated with this anomaly 3 , and by the presence of trans and intrasphenoidal encephaloceles 22,23,27 or by case reports of intrasphenoidal pituitary tissue in asymptomatic population 13,19 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most frequent symptoms are related to pituitary malfunction due to compression of the gland 5,20 or to unintended hypophysectomy after adenoidectomy because of respiratory distress 8,28 . Richter et al 23 reported a case of recurrent meningitis after pharyngeal mass resection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Richter et al 23 reported a case of recurrent meningitis after pharyngeal mass resection. There are some case reports as asymptomatic finding 4 or associated to tumors as craneopharyngiomas 3 o hypothalamic hamartoma 5,12 . We are presenting the case of a patient suffering from recurrent meningitis of uncertain origin associated to this malformation without evidence of CSF leakage or related anomalies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Craniopharyngeal Canal Persistence is an infrequent anomaly in sphenoid bone development which origin some authors relate to Rathke's pouch route while ascending to the sella turcica 4,5,8,13 while some others think that it is a vestige of a former vascular channel during the ossification of the sphenoid bone 1,15,17 . Currarino 4 described two different kinds according to its size and its tendency to present as transsphenoidal encephalocele and to be associated to face anomalies, mainly in midline structures such as hyperthelorysm or cleft palate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recurrent meningitis and persistence of craniopharyngeal canal: Case report

Pinilla-Arias¹,

Hinojosa²,

Esparza³

et al. 2009

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SummaryObjects. Craniopharyngeal Canal is a rare malformation of the sphenoid bone described in up to 0.42% of the asymptomatic population. It's been related to the development of the Rathke's pouch during embrionary period although some authors think it's a vestige of a former vascular channel.Methods. This report details a case of a four and a half years old child that developed recurrent meningitis associated with this anomaly. Its origin, clinical manifestations and treatment options are discussed.Conclusion. Due to its low incidence and diagnostic difficulties, a high suspicion index is required while studying a case of recurrent meningitis or CSF leakage. Surgical approach is still controversial.KEY WORDS: Sphenoid bone. Encephalocele. Transcranial approach. Transpalatal approach. Pituitary. Meningitis de repetición y canal craneofaríngeo persistente: a propósito de un caso ResumenObjetivos. El Canal Craneofaríngeo es una rara malformación del esfenoides que ha sido descrito hasta en el 0,42% de la población asintomática. Se le ha relacionado con la formación de la Bolsa de Rathke durante el desarrollo embrionario aunque existen autores que opinan que se trata de un vestigio de un canal vascular primitivo.Métodos. Presentamos el caso de un niño de cuatro años y medio que desarrolló un cuadro de meningitis de repetición asociado a esta anomalía. Revisamos la literatura para discutir su formación, manifestaciones clínicas y opciones de tratamiento.Conclusión. Dada su baja incidencia y las dificultades diagnósticas es necesario un alto índice de sospecha durante el estudio de un caso de meningitis de repetición o fístula espontánea de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Existe una gran controversia en lo referente al abordaje quirúrgico idóneo PALABRAS CLAVE: Esfenoides. Encefalocele. Abordaje transcraneal. Abordaje transpalatal. Glándula hipófisis,

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“…We have found 14 cases reported in the recent literature. The most frequent symptoms are related to pituitary malfunction due to compression of the gland 5,20 or to unintended hypophysectomy after adenoidectomy because of respiratory distress 8,28 . Richter et al 23 reported a case of recurrent meningitis after pharyngeal mass resection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recurrent meningitis and persistence of craniopharyngeal canal: case report

Pinilla-Arias¹,

Hinojosa²,

Esparza³

et al. 2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryObjects. Craniopharyngeal Canal is a rare malformation of the sphenoid bone described in up to 0.42% of the asymptomatic population. It's been related to the development of the Rathke's pouch during embrionary period although some authors think it's a vestige of a former vascular channel.Methods. This report details a case of a four and a half years old child that developed recurrent meningitis associated with this anomaly. Its origin, clinical manifestations and treatment options are discussed.Conclusion. Due to its low incidence and diagnostic difficulties, a high suspicion index is required while studying a case of recurrent meningitis or CSF leakage. Surgical approach is still controversial.KEY WORDS: Sphenoid bone. Encephalocele. Transcranial approach. Transpalatal approach. Pituitary. Meningitis de repetición y canal craneofaríngeo persistente: a propósito de un caso ResumenObjetivos. El Canal Craneofaríngeo es una rara malformación del esfenoides que ha sido descrito hasta en el 0,42% de la población asintomática. Se le ha relacionado con la formación de la Bolsa de Rathke durante el desarrollo embrionario aunque existen autores que opinan que se trata de un vestigio de un canal vascular primitivo.Métodos. Presentamos el caso de un niño de cuatro años y medio que desarrolló un cuadro de meningitis de repetición asociado a esta anomalía. Revisamos la literatura para discutir su formación, manifestaciones clínicas y opciones de tratamiento.Conclusión. Dada su baja incidencia y las dificultades diagnósticas es necesario un alto índice de sospecha durante el estudio de un caso de meningitis de repetición o fístula espontánea de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Existe una gran controversia en lo referente al abordaje quirúrgico idóneo PALABRAS CLAVE: Esfenoides. Encefalocele. Abordaje transcraneal. Abordaje transpalatal. Glándula hipófisis,

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