Persistent craniopharyngeal canal with an associated sphenoid sinus fistula

Authors

Chase Dougherty [1]Department of Family Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Altoona, USA and [2] Department of Radiology Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, USA.
Barton F. Branstetter IV [1]Department of Radiology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA; [2]Department of Otolaryngology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA; [3]Department of Biomedical Informatics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i10.4707

Keywords:

Craniopharyngeal Canal, Skull Base, CT, MRI

Abstract

Persistent craniopharyngeal canal (PCC) is a rare congenital anomaly that appears as a linear well-corticated canal running from the sella through the clivus and into the nasopharynx. Case reports of this anomaly have shown it is associated with a range of craniofacial defects, pituitary abnormalities, and meningoencephaloceles. It predisposes patients to bacterial meningitis. In this case a 46-year-old gentleman presenting for preoperative planning for surgical drainage of Potts Puffy tumor was found to have a PCC on CT and MRI. Imaging also demonstrated the presence of chronic inflammation and a fistula extending from the tract into the sphenoid sinus. This unusual presentation of a PCC with a sphenoid sinus fistula broadens the potential clinical presentations of PCC and further emphasizes the ability of this anomaly to serve as a conduit for CNS infection.

46-year-old man with persistent craniopharyngeal canal and an associated sphenoid sinus fistula.

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Published

2023-10-31

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 10 (2023)

Section

Neuroradiology

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