Benign tumour which typically arises in the sellar/suprasella region

Aetiology

• Derived from remnants of Rathke's pouch
• Bimodal incidence - 5-15 years, 6th-7th decades

Pathophysiology

• Slow growing, often cystic, may calcify

Clinical features

• Headaches and visual disturbances
• Can cause pituitary hypofunction → hormonal imbalances
• Children may have growth retardation

Investigations

• CT/MRI head

Management

• Excellent prognosis (especially if <5cm)
• Treatment is usually resection + radiotherapy
• Following radiation, SSC may develop (but rare)