Ectopic sinonasal craniopharyngioma arising from the anterior ethmoid sinus – Case report and literature review

Abstract

Objectives: We describe a rare case of an entirely ectopic adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma located in the anterior ethmoid sinus and the management approach undertaken at our institution. Case report: A 31-year old female presented with a history of chronic left sided nasal obstruction. Flexible nasendoscopy demonstrated a bony mass filling the entirety of the ostiomeatal complex on that side. High resolution computed tomography confirmed the presence of a heterogenous, bony mass which raised the possibility of an osteoma. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed to achieve complete excision of the mass. Formal histopathological examination was consistent with an adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. The patient underwent an uncomplicated post-operative course and continues to be disease-free six months post-operatively. Conclusions: This case represents one of only 23 reported infrasellar craniopharyngiomas described in the literature, and only the third that was completely ectopic from the sellar.

Keywords

• Craniopharyngioma
• Ectopic
• Endoscopic
• Skull base surgery
• Sinus surgery