Optic tract edema sign and craniopharyngiomas.

Two patients with craniopharyngioma presenting with the "optic tract edema sign" are described. This sign is seen in a majority of craniopharyngiomas and can be of help in the differentiation with other suprasellar masses such as pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, germinomas and lymphomas. Nevertheless it has to be emphasized that the sign is not absolute and can be seen now and then in these other tumors.