A Case of Suprasellar Papillary Glioneuronal Tumor Mimicking Craniopharyngioma

Abstract

Papillary glioneuronal tumor (PGNT) is a low-grade biphasic neoplasm with astrocytic and neuronal differentiation. This tumor occurs most commonly in the frontal and temporal lobes, close to the ventricles, and rarely in the cerebellum, brainstem, and pineal gland. However, there has been no report of this tumor in the suprasellar region to date. In this paper, we report a case of PGNT in the suprasellar region in a 16-year-old girl. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic tumor with calcification that progressed from the anterior skull base to the suprasellar and temporal regions. Preoperatively distinguishing this tumor from craniopharyngioma was difficult because of the patient’s age, localization of the tumor, and neuroimaging results. This case showed a backward shift of the chiasma, which is observed in only 4.7% of craniopharyngioma, as well as normal endocrine findings. Endocrinological examination and an MRI evaluation of the chiasmal shift may be useful for discrimination.