Craniopharyngioma presenting during pregnancy 4 years after a normal magnetic resonance imaging scan: Case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Craniopharyngiomas, epithelial tumors of the hypothalamic and pituitary region, are thought to have congenital origins. It has been postulated that hormonal influences may stimulate growth in adults. This report describes a case and reviews the literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The case is discussed of a 39-year-old woman who experienced symptoms from a craniopharyngioma diagnosed during a pregnancy that resulted from in vitro fertilization. A magnetic resonance imaging scan performed 4 years previously had disclosed nothing abnormal. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy with total resection of the suprasellar tumor, which was dissected from the pituitary stalk. CONCLUSION: This case suggests a possible link in the adult patient between the growth of this supposedly congenital tumor and hormonal stimulation.