Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region of children: series of five cases and literature review.

Five Japanese children presented with rare xanthogranuloma located in the sellar region between 2000 and 2010 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Hospital. Endocrinological examination disclosed central diabetes in four patients. Preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated clearly defined intra- or suprasellar masses appearing as isointense or hyperintense on T(1)-weighted MR imaging with no calcification on CT. The tumor was totally removed under preoperative diagnosis of craniopharyngioma in all cases. Histological examination found fibrous tissue with abundant cholesterol clefts and hemosiderin deposits, but no or only tiny amounts of epithelial cells in each case. Therefore, the histological diagnoses were xanthogranuloma of the sellar region, not adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. Postoperatively, no patient recovered from endocrinological deficits, whereas visual disturbances were improved immediately after operation. Currently, whether xanthogranuloma is distinct from adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma remains unclear. Only a few clinical reports of xanthogranuloma of the sellar region have been reported in pediatric patients. Our series shows that xanthogranuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of pediatric tumor of the sellar region.