NEONATAL NASOPHARYNGEAL OBSTRUCTION DUE T O CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA

Background.- Craniopharyngioma, the most common tumor of the sellar an d suprasellar regions in childhood, can exceptionally develop in the i nfrasellar area.Case report.- A premature girl (GA: 30 weeks) weighing 1240 g required intubation and ventilation because she suffered from a neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Nasal endoscopy showed total obstruction of rhinopharynx by a tumor resembling adenoid tissue. Thi s tumor was successfully excised and its histological examination show ed a craniopharyngioma. Conclusion.- A wide range of intranasal tumors has to be examined, endoscopy and CT scan are necessary for a precise localization and to eliminate meningocele.