Coexistence of craniopharyngioma and meningioma: Two rare cases and literature review

Concurrence of craniopharyngioma and meningioma: a case report and systematic review of the literature

Craniopharyngioma (CPG) is a benign epithelial tumor that originates from Rathke's pouch. Meningiomas (MNG) are neoplasms of meningothelial cell. The patient is a 42-year-old female who presented with left-sided temporal headaches and visual acuity impairment. Neurological examination revealed bilateral peripheral visual field defects. Imaging of the brain showed a hypointense solid-cystic sellar lesion with suprasellar extension without calcification which enhanced with contrast. Also present was a second, contrast-enhancing extra axial lesion overlying the olfactory groove. The patient had no history of tumor surgery or radiation therapy. Both of the lesions were operated for resection and post operation status was uneventful. This study reports non-radiation related co-occurrence of a craniopharyngioma (CPG) and a meningioma (MNG). We reviewed published articles between 1966 and 2020, and found that although MNGs are the most commonly occurring brain tumors, the occurrence of MNG and CPG together with no relation to radiation is relatively rare, reported only 7 times in living patients. By analyzing the data and keeping in mind that there is no proven common genetic background and risk factor between them, their co-occurrence, shows the importance of further investigation to clear any possible relationship between the two other than mere coincidence.

Coexistence of craniopharyngioma and cranial fibrous dysplasia: a case series of clinicopathological study

Background

Craniopharyngioma (CP) and cranial fibrous dysplasia (CFD) are rare embryonic benign cranial diseases that most commonly present during childhood or adolescence. The coexistence of CP and CFD is extremely rare and has not yet been reported.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of five patients with concomitant CP and CFD treated at Beijing Tiantan Hospital from January 2003 to January 2021 and summarized their clinicopathological features, treatment modalities, and outcomes. We also performed a comprehensive literature review, tested the patients for characteristic GNAS gene mutations related to CFD, and tested the CP specimens for corresponding Gsα protein to explore the potential connection leading to the coexistence of CP and CFD.

Results

The cohort comprised four men and one woman (median age, 39 years). The symptoms mainly included headache, dizziness, fatigue, polyuria/polydipsia, hypogonadism, and blurred vision. CFD most commonly involved the sphenoid bone (n = 4). Four patients underwent surgery to remove the CP (one trans-sphenoidal and three transcranial resections); complete and subtotal resection were achieved in two patients, respectively. The tumor subtype was adamantinomatous in three patients and unknown in one. The common postoperative complications were panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and hypothyroidism. The mean follow-up duration was 57.2 months. Two patients required postoperative hormone replacement therapy. Three patients underwent genetic study of the tumor specimens; GNAS mutations were not detected, but these patients were positive for Gsα protein.

Conclusions

Although a definite causative relationship has not been proved, the coexistence of CP and CFD means that potential interplay or an atypical fibrous dysplasia course as uncommon manifestations of CP cannot be excluded. It is more challenging to initiate prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment for concomitant CP and CFD than for solitary CP because of skull base deformations. Current management strategies are aimed at surgical treating the CP and regularly monitoring the CFD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-022-02281-1.