Intraventricular Craniopharyngioma?

As we known, adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is thought to originate from residual Rathke’s pouch cells along the long axis from nasopharynx to infundibulum [1, 2]. However, the squamous papillary subtype of CP (SPCP) is believed to occur throught squamous metaplasia in the pars tuberalis [2, 3]. In consideration of these inferences, the neural parenchymal layer of third ventricular floor (3rd VF) should locate above the CP, separate both the tumor and third ventricular chamber. However, the first study conducted by Dubos et al. in 1953 extensively reported the tumors completely located inside the third ventricle cavity by autopsy or intraoperative finding [4-13]. Because of this topographical location, the theory of CP origin has been challenged and much more neurosurgeons are interested in pursuing the true morphological characteristics and diagnostic criteria of these tumors [9, 14]. In this chapter, we firstly reviewed the definition of the intraventricular CP in several publications. Then based on our histological and clinical study, the true morphology of intraventricular CP was proposed. The related approach selection and surgical skills was also depicted.

Keywords: Craniopharyngioma, Intraventricular, Third ventricular floor.