Craniopharyngiomas are classified anatomically based on their relative position to the optic chiasm4.
- Prechiasmatic
- Retrochiasmatic
- Subchiasmatic
Most pediatric craniopharyngiomas are intrasellar and extrasellar (75%). A smaller proportion of craniopharyngiomas are purely suprasellar or purely intrasellar.
They can also be classified depending on their pathology.
Subdivided into:
- Adamantinous tumors
- Papillary tumors
- Mixed
Table. Comparison of basic features of adamantinous and papillary craniopharyngiomas.
Adamantanous |
Papillary |
|
Age group |
Children |
Adults |
Location |
Suprasellar region |
3rd ventricle |
Macroscopic appearance |
Mixed solid-cystic or predominantly cystic |
Mixed solid-cystic or predominantly solid |
Calcification |
Common |
Uncommon |
Recurrence |
Common |
Uncommon |
Mixed tumors containing both adamantanous and papillary characteristics are generally assigned to the adamantanous group, as they appear to be clinically and radiologically similar to adamantanous tumors.
