The clinical and radiological features of craniopharyngioma as seen in our local population at the kenyatta National Hospital, kenya

Abstract

The main clinical and radiological features of craniopharyngioma as seen in our local population are presented. A totdl of 31 cases was studied. The peak age incidence was found to be 6-10 years. The male to female ratio was 1: 1. Headache and visual loss "ere the commonest presenting symptoms (61.1% and 59.1% respectively). Visual field defect was the commonest clinical finding. Other clinical findings were those of pituitary hypofunction. Calcification in the supra- or infra- sellar region was the commonest abnormal radiological finding on plain skull radiographs (51%). Erosion with expansion of sella turcica was found to be (33%) while (21%) of cases showed sutural diastasis - carotid angiography revealed elevation of proximal portions of anterior cerebral arteries in 50% of patients. No shift of anterior cerebral artery from the midline was noted. Ventriculography showed dilatation of lateral ventricles in all patients who were subjected to the examination. Host patients studied were Kikuyus. The minority were spread among Luos, Kisiis and Kalenjins.