Craniopharyngioma

The craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that is located at the base of the skull in the region of the pituitary gland. Due to this location, there can sometimes be difficulty in distinguishing the craniopharyngioma from a pituitary tumor on CT or MRI scans. These tumors are benign and cause symptoms by local pressure on the brain or blockage of spinal fluid, which can result in hydrocephalus (build-up of spinal fluid within the brain). Craniopharyngiomas represent between 2 and 3 percent of all primary brain tumors, and between 5 to 13 percent of brain tumors in children.