Rathke’s cleft cyst mimicking cystic craniopharyngioma: Surgical experience of endoscopic endonasal approach

Dong Han Lee; Hae Won Roh; Hyun Jun Jo; Woo-Keun Kwon; Won Ki Yoon; Jong Hyun Kim; Taek Hyun Kwon; Joonho Byun

doi:10.55911/JKSBS.23.0031

Rathke’s cleft cyst mimicking cystic craniopharyngioma: Surgical experience of endoscopic endonasal approach

J Korean Skull Base Soc 2024;19(1):79-84

Published online May 30, 2024

Dong Han Lee, Hae Won Roh, Hyun Jun Jo, Woo-Keun Kwon, Won Ki Yoon, Jong Hyun Kim, Taek Hyun Kwon, Joonho Byun

Department of Neurosurgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Joonho Byun
E-mail drjunho2@gmail.com
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0687-3286

Received December 28, 2023; Revised January 21, 2024; Accepted January 21, 2024.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract: Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCCs) are non-neoplastic cysts originating from Rathke’s pouch remnants. This case report presents a unique case of a suprasellar RCC that closely resembles craniopharyngioma, highlighting the diagnostic difficulty involved. A 51-year-old female patient presented with headaches and visual disturbances, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed two cystic masses around the pituitary stalk. Initially suspected as craniopharyngioma, surgical intervention revealed RCC based on histopathological examination. The report emphasizes the importance of differentiating RCC from other parasellar cystic masses, especially craniopharyngioma, and discussing key diagnostic factors.; Keywords : Craniopharyngioma, Rathke cleft cyst, Endoscopy