Craniopharyngioma is the most common central nervous system tumour during puberty which decreases pituitary function (Fig. 13.22). This is a tumour of the Rathke's pouch, emanating from the pituitary stalk and growing into the suprasellar area. Patients with craniopharyngioma may present with headaches, visual disturbance, short stature and symptoms of diabetes insipidus. These patients may have visual deficiency, including bilateral temporal field defects (due to pressure exerted by the enlarging tumour upon the optic chiasm), optic atrophy or papilloedema.
