Ectopic Craniopharyngioma in Pediatric Patients

Introduction: Craniopharyngioma is an intracranial tumor usually located in the sellar-suprasellar region. They are histologically benign but locally aggressive and are associated with a high rate of recurrence and morbidity. Surgical resection is the primary treatment, but achieving gross total resection is challenging, which leads to both recurrence and progression of the disease. Ectopic seeding of craniopharyngioma is a rare but important complication. Seeding is thought to occur via the initial surgical tract or from dissemination through cerebrospinal fluid. Most recurrences occur in the first 5 years but delayed recurrences after initial treatment have been reported which makes long-term follow-up of these patients extremely important.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the literature on ectopic craniopharyngioma in the pediatric population.

Method: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines including all studies with at least 1 case of Ectopic craniopharyngioma.

Results: A total of 60 cases have been included so far. Thirty-three tumors were located in the previous surgical corridors and 27 were disseminated. We will review the clinical presentation, radiological features, operative management, complications and overall rate of resection of the ectopic craniopharyngiomas reported in pediatric patients.

Conclusions: The natural course of recurrent ectopic craniopharyngiomas is progressive. GTR is the treatment of choice. Regular long-term follow-ups are strongly recommended to detect any further recurrence.

Publication History

Article published online:
05 February 2024