J Korean Soc Radiol.  2016 Mar;74(3):210-213. 10.3348/jksr.2016.74.3.210.

Persistent Craniopharyngeal Canal with Posterior Pituitary Ectopia: A Case Report

• Han D
• Kim SH
• Kim JY
• Lee J
• Bae KE

• KMID: 2155283
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2016.74.3.210

Abstract

Persistent craniopharyngeal canal is a congenital defect between sella turcica and nasopharynx. It is considered to develope from incomplete closure of Rathke's pouch, the precursor of adenohypophysis. Persistent craniopharyngeal canal can be associated pituitary anomalies and other central nervous system anomalies. We presented a case of persistent craniopharyngeal canal with posterior pituitary ectopia.

MeSH Terms

Central Nervous System
Congenital Abnormalities
Nasopharynx
Pituitary Diseases
Pituitary Gland
Pituitary Gland, Anterior
Sella Turcica

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A 16-month-old boy with posterior pituitary ectopia. A. T1-weighted MR sagittal image shows that normally T1-hyperintense posterior pituitary lobe is absent within sella turcica, and small bright high signal intensity lesion is located at the median eminence, anterior to the mammillary body (arrow), suggesting ectopic posterior pituitary lobe. Ill-defined isointense soft tissue lesion is seen at the inferior aspect of sella turcica (*), but normal anterior pituitary lobe is absent. A cortical defect is suspected at the anteroinferior wall of sella turcica (arrowhead). B. Gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted sagittal MR image reveals prominent enhancement of soft tissue lesion at the inferior aspect of sella turcica (*), presumably the meninges with possible aplasia or hypoplasia of anterior pituitary lobe.

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  Fig. 2 Persistent craniopharyngeal canal. Axial (A), sagittal (B), and coronal (C) CT images of bone window setting show a cortical defect of the sella floor with a corticated canal between sella turcica and nasopharynx (arrow). It reveals a persistent craniopharyngeal canal. Incidental ethmoid sinusitis is also noted.

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