Figure 3.

(A,B) Pre- and postoperative MRI of a subtotal resection of a craniopharyngioma extending into the third ventricle up to the mammillary bodies in a 4-year-old child. The postoperative MRI shows remaining intrasellar cystic tumor. Because of missing pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus a transcranial, pterional approach was chosen. The pituitary stalk could be preserved in this case. The patient is under close follow-up, in case of tumor growth prior to pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, radiotherapy will be considered. (C) The intraoperative photo shows the optic nerves up to the chiasm as well as the spread pituitary stalk (arrow) within the cystic tumor (see parallel running small vessels of the pituitary stalk).