POSTERIOR-FOSSA CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA

A case is presented of a craniopharyngioma arising in and wholly confi ned to the posterior fossa in a 23-year-old man. The origin of this un usually located tumour is discussed and comparison made with previousl y reported ectopic craniopharyngiomas. Most of the cases appeared to b e either direct extensions from the suprasellar region or recurrences in locations distant from the original previously treated suprasellar tumours. We found no evidence in this case to relate the tumour to a s ellar/suprasellar origin and the craniopharyngioma is believed to have originated in the posterior fossa.