Parasellar tumors in children. I. Clinical presentation, preoperative assessment, and differential diagnosis.

This paper reviews the clinical presentation, neuro-ophthalmologic, endocrinologic, and radiographic findings of 74 children (0-20 years) harboring parasellar lesions who were treated on our service between 1968 and 1977. Our data support the conclusion that earlier diagnosis is occurring, although there is still a significant lag between onset of symptoms and treatment, especially in histologically benign lesions. The differential diagnosis is facilitated by recognition of key features of four major tumor types: craniopharyngioma, parasellar glioma, germinoma, and pituitary adenoma.