Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Craniopharyngioma is a benign, slow-growing epithelial tumor of embryonic origin, originating in the pituitary stem or pituitary gland and developing in the sellar and/or suprasellar region. It is characterized by its considerable potential for extension, its tendency to recur, and its adhesions to surrounding structures.

Case report: We report the case of a 60-year-old female patient with secondary amenorrhea at the age of 38 years, neglected and never explored, and who installed after surgery for intestinal obstruction on colonic tumor, a polyuria with polydipsia with 4 nocturnal awakenings and estimated input-output of 4 liters per day. The first-line workup was without abnormalities. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal MRI showed a 17 x 13 mm tumor that corresponds to a craniopharyngioma. This craniopharyngioma was complicated by a panhypopituitarism with 8 o’clock cortisol : 15 ng/ml, FT4 : 0.63 mUI/ml and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism profile with low FSH, LH and estradiol. The patient was put on Desmopressin with a good improvement of the polyuro-polydipsic syndrome. She was also put on Hydrocortisone and Levothyroxine.

Discussion and conclusion Craniopharyngioma is a rare and benign epithelial tumor of the central nervous system, affecting mostly children. It is rarely observed in adults. Its diagnosis remains late despite the development of imaging techniques resulting in significant morbidity and poor survival. This is why it is essential to take each symptom seriously.