Spontaneous asymptomatic rupture of cystic craniopharyngioma in a child: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of craniopharyngioma is a rare condition described mainly in adults. Chemical meningitis or improvements in clinical symptomatology are the usual events heralding such rupture. Spontaneous rupture of a craniopharyngioma cyst in a child is uncommon; such a rupture being asymptomatic being exceptionally rare. Four cases of craniopharyngioma cyst rupture in the pediatric population have been reported in the literature, only 1 of them being asymptomatic. The authors report a case of spontaneous asymptomatic craniopharyngioma cyst rupture in a 13-year-old child which was diagnosed when repeat imaging was performed before operative intervention. Although rare, such rupture is of clinical significance as it can lead to alterations in management strategy.