Ciliated craniopharyngioma may arise from Rathke cleft cyst.

OBJECTIVE

The histogenesis of craniopharyngioma is not fully understood. We encountered a ciliated craniopharyngioma, the details of which may shed light on the histogeny of craniopharyngioma in general.

PATIENT: A 74-year-old man presented with visual disturbance. Computed tomography showed an intra-suprasellar cyst including a solid tumor. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed. During surgery, the cyst was found to contain mucoid milky-white fluid and a solid tumor 1 cm in diameter. Histologically, the tumor was shown to be a papillary type craniopharyngioma with foci of ciliated columnar epithelial cells. Ciliated craniopharyngioma was diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

Our findings in this case together with findings in other reported cases suggest that the basal cells of Rathke cleft cyst transform to papillary type craniopharyngioma after squamous metaplasia, explaining the presence of the cilia and goblet cells.