ECTOPIC BASISPHENOIDAL CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

WE REPORT THE case of a patient with a nasopharyngeal craniopharyngiom a. The presenting symptoms included a diminished visual acuity, a dysm orphic syndrome, and impaired endocrine function. The computed tomogra phy and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a partially cystic tum or that had destroyed most of the craniofacial sinus and anterior part of the cranial base. The patient was operated on through a rhinosepta l approach. We found 14 similar cases in the available neurosurgical a nd otorhinolaryngologic literature. The pathogenesis of this tumor and more especially its origin from Rathke's pouch remnants or pharyngeal hypophysis are discussed.