Craniopharyngioma presenting as a nasopharyngeal mass: CT and MR findings

Abstract

Craniopharyngiomas usually arise in the suprasellar or parasellar region. The occurrence of the tumors in other locations is rare and they have to be distinguished from lesions in the suprasellar or sellar region with unusual extension. Thus far, few craniopharyngiomas of infrasellar origin have been described. We report a case in which the tumor presented as a nasopharyngeal mass and CT and magnetic resonance were used for evaluation. Review of the pertinent embryology and literature is also included.