Diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma after acute brainstem herniation in an emergency department.
Publication/Presentation Date
8-1-2011
Abstract
A 9-year-old previously healthy girl presented with 3 weeks of intermittent emesis and headache to a community emergency department, where she had rapid decompensation due to increased intracranial pressure. Head computed tomography revealed a calcified suprasellar mass consistent with a craniopharyngioma. Despite medical and surgical intervention, the patient had progression of herniation with global cerebral infarction, and care was withdrawn. Although craniopharyngiomas are typically thought to be benign, slow-growing intracranial tumors, this case emphasizes the need for an expeditious diagnostic evaluation when symptoms that may be referable to intracranial hypertension are evident. Craniopharyngiomas and emergency management of intracranial hypertension are reviewed.
Volume
27
Issue
8
First Page
747
Last Page
750
ISSN
1535-1815
Published In/Presented At
Weiss, S. L., Wegg-Uzunlar, L., Bowman, R. M., & Brannen, M. L. (2011). Diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma after acute brainstem herniation in an emergency department. Pediatric emergency care, 27(8), 747–750. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEC.0b013e318226e094
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
21822087
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article