Endocrine Abstracts

Craniopharyngiomas are embryogenic tumorous malformations of the sellar region, presumably derived from Rathke cleft epithelium. With an overall incidence of 0.5–2 new cases per million population per year, approximately 30–50% of all cases represent childhood craniopharyngioma. Typical manifestations at primary diagnosis are headache, visual impairment, polyuria/polydypsia, growth retardation, and weight gain.Therapy of choice in patients with...

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is associated with considerably higher mortality and morbidity than pituitary adenomas. The tumours are rare, but present a considerable management challenge. In addition to the endocrine and mass effects which are common to all tumours arising from the region of the pituitary fossa, the site, size, and sometimes the treatment of CP, dictate that the endocrinologist must also manage hypothalamic complications. Endocrinologists are aware of the high frequ...

The presence of a craniopharyngioma, and/or treatment related damage to centres in the hypothalamus that regulate energy balance often results in severe obesity and abnormal eating behaviours. This may be exacerbated by hormonal deficits from coexistent hypopituitarism.Decreased activity of sympathoadrenal activity, deregulated parasympathetic activity, marked hyperinsulinaemia and elevated leptin disproportionate to fat mass are evident. Plasma levels o...