REVIEW ARTICLE

Imaging of Skull Base

Tumors

C O N T I N UU M A UD I O
I NT E R V I E W A V AI L A B L E
ONLINE
By Wenya Linda Bi, MD, PhD

ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview of imaging modalities and
findings associated with common skull base tumors including meningiomas
and how to use imaging features to guide surveillance and treatment
decision making.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Ease of access to cranial imaging has led to a higher

number of incidentally diagnosed skull base tumors, which merit careful
consideration for management with observation or treatment. The point of
origin of the tumor dictates the pattern of anatomic displacement and
involvement by the tumor as it grows. Careful study of vascular
encroachment on CT angiography, as well as the pattern and extent of
bony invasion on CT, abets treatment planning. Quantitative analyses of
imaging, such as with radiomics, may further elucidate phenotype-
genotype associations in the future.

Combinatorial application of CT and MRI analyses

ESSENTIAL POINTS:
improves the diagnosis of skull base tumors, clarifies their point of origin,
and dictates the extent of treatment needed.

INTRODUCTION

S
kull base tumors encompass a wide spectrum of intracranial
CITE AS:
pathologies that refer to either their origin outside of brain
CONTINUUM (MINNEAP MINN)
2023;29(1, NEUROIMAGING): parenchyma or their anatomic location within the cranium.
156–170. Collectively, these pathologies account for the majority of intracranial
neoplasms and include meningioma, pituitary tumors,
Address correspondence to
Dr Wenya Linda Bi, Department
craniopharyngioma, schwannoma, chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and
of Neurosurgery, Brigham and paraganglioma, among others.1 Non-neoplastic entities that exert similar mass
Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, effect and insinuation around cranial nerves and vessels, such as epidermoid and
Boston, MA 02115, WBI@bwh.
harvard.edu. dermoid cysts, are also commonly clustered with skull base tumors in the
differential diagnosis. Additionally, pathologies from the closely adjacent orbit,
RELATIONSHIP DISCLOSURE:
head, and neck structures often involve the skull base and should be considered
Dr Bi Reports no disclosure.
together from a differential diagnosis and management perspective.
UNLABELED USE OF Although most skull base tumors are considered benign, several pathologies
PRODUCTS/INVESTIGATIONAL
USE DISCLOSURE:
exhibit malignant subtypes or may be locally destructive in their growth, causing
Dr Bi reports no disclosure. premature morbidity and mortality. Distinguishing these more aggressive
subtypes from their benign counterparts is the subject of extensive radiographic
© 2023 American Academy investigation using both conventional and advanced imaging modalities, because
of Neurology. earlier intervention in these nonbenign entities may improve outcomes.

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Conversely, the easy availability of cranial imaging in the contemporary era and KEY POINTS
its wide application for common symptoms such as headache and dizziness or
● Skull base tumors refer to
after a fall have led to an increase in incidentally discovered tumors. Many of both tumors whose cell of
these tumors, such as small or calcified convexity meningiomas or pituitary origin is outside of the brain
microadenomas, may never cause harm. Judicious observation through serial parenchyma as well as
imaging, therefore, is a critical component of the management of skull base tumors that are physically
located in or near the base
tumors. General indications for treatment include (1) symptomatic mass effect,
of the skull.
(2) a large tumor, (3) progressive growth over time, or (4) impending neurologic
deficit that may be irreversible without intervention. Invocation of these ● Many skull base tumors,
indications, especially the last three, is subject to patient preference and clinician such as meningiomas or
judgment. Given the extra-axial origin (ie, the cell of origin is outside of the brain pituitary microadenomas,
are incidentally diagnosed
parenchyma) of skull base tumors, they frequently exhibit symptoms through and may be safely observed
gradual growth over time and compression of eloquent neural or vascular as the initial strategy.

FIGURE 6-1
Spheno-clinoidal cavernous meningioma. A 45-year-old woman with gradual left eye visual
loss, progressing to blindness, left proptosis, and periorbital pain was found to have a
spheno-clinoidal cavernous meningioma. Axial (A) and coronal (B) postcontrast T1-weighted
MRI shows an enhancing extra-axial tumor expanding the cavernous sinus, with extension
along the orbital roof and sphenoid wing, completely encasing and narrowing the left internal
carotid artery and growing through the hyperostostic-involved skull base, including the
orbital roof and sphenoid wing. C, Axial CT further confirms marked hyperostosis of the left
anterior clinoid process, medial sphenoid wing, and orbital roof. D, Coronal CT angiogram
highlights the diminutive left internal carotid artery and proximal anterior and middle
cerebral arteries, due to tumor encasement, with distal reconstitution of the left middle
cerebral artery branches.

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

structures, which may be reversed with alleviation of the symptomatic mass

effect.
This article highlights general principles in the interpretation of imaging for
skull base tumors and addresses specific considerations for common pathologies.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Contrast-enhanced MRI is the most common modality by which skull base
tumors are diagnosed and followed over time. T2-weighted images, however, can
distinguish the boundary between tumor and brain, track the relationship of
cranial nerves with respect to skull base tumors, and serve as a surrogate for
identifying key vascular supply.
More so than for intrinsic brain tumors, CT aids in the diagnosis and
assessment of tumor extent for skull base tumors, which often exhibit
characteristic bony invasion, lytic erosion, or intratumoral calcification. Failure
to assess the extent of bony involvement, such as in meningioma, may lead to
underappreciation of growth and change over time.
Skull base tumors also have a predilection for extracranial extension given
their location. They may abut, compress, encase, or occlude adjacent vascular
structures and nerves, leading to morbidity with observation or treatment. Yet

CASE 6-1 A 60-year-old woman presented with 1 year of progressive cognitive

difficulties, followed by blurry vision affecting her left eye and persistent
headaches. Neuro-ophthalmology evaluation confirmed a left
compressive optic neuropathy with reduced acuity, a relative afferent
pupillary defect, and significant depression of the visual field throughout
the left eye. Imaging revealed a homogeneous enhancing extra-axial
tumor centered on a hyperostotic left anterior clinoid process (FIGURE 6-2).
The patient underwent a left cranio-orbitozygomatic approach for
total excision of the tumor and the involved anterior clinoid bone.
Pathology confirmed a World Health Organization grade I meningioma.
She recovered full vision and neurologic function.

COMMENT This case exemplifies the hyperostotic bony change signaling the origin of
meningiomas, vascular encasement by meningiomas with minimal ischemic
risk, and good recovery after resection.

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because of their characteristic slow pace of growth, vascular encasement or even
occlusion rarely leads to ischemia. Assessment of vascular patency, both arterial
and venous, is important when considering the risk of intervention or
continued observation.
The point of origin of skull base tumors dictates their pattern of growth and
relationship with adjacent neurovascular structures and the brain. Although the
absolute anatomic position may be distorted by a growing tumor, relative
anatomic relationships tend to remain steadfast.

MENINGIOMAS
Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumor in
adults (FIGURE 6-1). Approximately 85% of meningiomas are considered benign,
or World Health Organization (WHO) grade I, 3% are considered malignant, or
WHO grade III, and another 10% to 15% straddle an intermediate course of
growth and are considered atypical, or WHO grade II.2 Meningiomas are
traditionally defined by histopathologic features, although the genetic and
epigenetic makeup of these tumors is increasingly associated with their
long-term outcome, often more robustly than the WHO grade alone.3 Consistent
with their putative origin from arachnoid cap cells, meningiomas are distributed

FIGURE 6-2
Clinoidal meningioma shown in the imaging of the patient in CASE 6-1. Gadolinium-enhanced
T1-weighted MRI in the coronal (A) and axial (B) planes shows an avidly enhancing mass
centered on the clinoid process. Axial T2-weighted MRI (C) highlights encasement of the left
internal carotid bifurcation into the proximal anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral
artery. Axial CT scan in the bone window confirms hyperostosis of the left anterior clinoid
process (D, arrow), further supporting the origin of the tumor. Coronal CT angiogram (E)
shows full encasement of the left internal carotid artery and carotid bifurcation by the
clinoidal meningioma, with normalization of the internal carotid artery and proximal anterior
and middle cerebral arteries after tumor resection (F), confirmed on coronal (G) and axial (H)
T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images.

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

across the cranial vault, with three general location categories: the skull base
(anterior, middle, and posterior fossa), the calvarium (frontal, parietal,
temporal, occipital, and cerebellar convexities), and the dividing membrane
between hemispheres (falcine, parasagittal, and tentorial origins).
Intraventricular meningiomas are most often located in the atrium of the lateral
ventricle, especially on the left.
Classically, meningiomas exhibit avid contrast enhancement on MRI, with an
associated dural tail. They may be hypointense, isointense, or hyperintense on
T2-weighted MRI, with more hyperintense signal often correlating with softer
tumor texture, which is important in considering the ease, or lack thereof, during
surgical resection. In patients who have a known meningioma and cannot
tolerate gadolinium, thin-cut T2 sequences may be sufficient for tracking tumor
growth, as is CT with contrast.
CT is helpful to determine the true extent of meningioma spread, given the
frequent involvement of adjacent bone. Bony involvement exhibited by central
calcification or hyperostosis often reflects more indolent growth whereas lytic

CASE 6-2 A 63-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer presented with
2 weeks of severe progressive ophthalmoparesis. Her visual acuity
remained excellent on neuro-ophthalmology evaluation, despite
near-complete oculomotor and abducens palsies.
Imaging revealed an extensive extra-axial enhancing tumor encasing
the superior orbital fissure and accounting for the extraocular nerve
compression with consequent ophthalmoparesis (FIGURE 6-3). She
underwent a right cranio-orbitozygomatic approach for removal of the
tumor encroaching on the periorbita and superior orbital fissure and
removal of the lateral wall of the orbit, sphenoid wing, and roof of the
optic canal to allow for wide decompression of the involved cranial
nerves. Pathology revealed metastatic carcinoma consistent with a
breast cancer primary. She regained complete normalization of
extraocular movements within weeks after surgery, with preserved visual
acuity, to allow for the safe delivery of adjuvant radiation to the
resection bed.

COMMENT This case illustrates nonmeningioma pathologies, such as breast

metastasis, which can mimic extra-axial enhancing tumors with bony
involvement.

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erosion of the bone is concerning for more aggressive growth, both of which may
be easier to appreciate on CT than MRI. Meningiomas may grow through the
skull and invade adjacent muscles or spread along the subgaleal space. This is
most commonly seen in subsets of sphenoid wing meningiomas, where coronal
plane images should be carefully inspected for tumor migration out of the
foramen ovale or rotundum and into the infratemporal fossa or temporalis
muscle, especially during serial imaging for monitoring.
Vascular imaging, such as through a dynamic CT angiogram or CT venogram,
highlights the vascular supply of meningiomas and helps assess venous sinus
patency or cortical venous rerouting for operative planning in patients who need
treatment; this imaging also helps distinguish meningiomas from mimickers
such as hemangiopericytoma, now known as solitary fibrous tumor.4
Meningiomas may abut, compress, or encase neurovascular structures,
depending on their point of origin (CASE 6-1). Slow compression or even
complete occlusion of a venous sinus, such as the superior sagittal sinus by
parasagittal meningiomas, is rarely associated with vascular infarct. Likewise,

FIGURE 6-3
Extra-axial breast metastasis mimicking a right spheno-orbital meningioma, causing
ophthalmoplegia in the patient in CASE 6-2. Coronal (A) and axial (B) contrast-enhanced MRI
shows an extra-axial enhancing tumor involving the right sphenoid wing, with encasement of
the superior orbital fissure, extending to the right orbital roof and temporal pole. Coronal (C)
and axial (D) contrast-enhanced MRI after surgery shows decompression of the orbital apex
with normalization of the extraocular muscles at their insertion.

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

KEY POINTS constriction of the internal cerebral artery by an encasing meningioma is rarely
associated with stroke.
● The point of origin of skull
base tumors dictates their
Meningiomas account for approximately 30% of incidentally diagnosed
relationship with adjacent neoplasms on brain MRI conducted for non-neurologic symptoms.5,6 While some
nerves, vessels, and the asymptomatic meningiomas continue to grow on surveillance imaging, some do
brain because relative not, especially those that are predominantly ossified. Enlarging, benign
anatomic relationships are
meningiomas typically grow 1 to 2 mm per year; rates faster than this raise
usually maintained even
while absolute anatomic concern for more atypical behavior. Radiographic features associated with more
positions are distorted. aggressive behavior include large tumor size, tumor growth rate exceeding that
of benign meningioma trajectories, irregular tumor shape, intratumoral
● Meningiomas frequently heterogeneity including the presence of central necrosis or hemorrhage, a
involve the adjacent bone,
which should be specifically knobby or ill-defined pattern of tumor-brain interface, and potentially the extent
examined on surveillance of peritumoral edema. Meningioma location also associates with a predilection
imaging. for benign or more aggressive character, with tumors of the midline anterior
skull base being almost exclusively benign, even if they can grow to a large size
● Venous sinus occlusion
through natural growth of a
before detection, whereas falcine and parasagittal meningiomas are predisposed
meningioma leads to to being higher grade. Multiple closely adjacent enhancing pachymeningeal foci,
rerouting of venous drainage like a studding of meningiomas, suggest meningiomatosis, which portends
from cortical veins at the malignant behavior and potential for rapid growth.
anterior and posterior limits
Extra-axial mimics of meningioma include solitary fibrous tumors (formerly
of the occluded sinus and
does not result in venous known as hemangiopericytomas), dural-based metastases (breast cancer being a
infarction on its own. common culprit), plasmacytomas, and sarcomas (CASE 6-2). Solitary fibrous
tumors may be indistinguishable from meningioma on postcontrast T1-weighted
● Enlarging benign MRI given their avid enhancement. They more frequently cause bony erosion, as
meningiomas typically grow
1 to 2 mm per year; rates opposed to hyperostosis, and rarely exhibit intratumoral calcification.7 Importantly,
faster than this raise high-grade solitary fibrous tumors are highly vascular, with prominent flow voids
concern for more atypical on T2-weighted MRI or a cast of vessels on CT angiogram or digital subtraction
behavior. angiogram, which must be dealt with if planning a surgical intervention. Solitary
● A meningioma growth rate
fibrous tumors may metastasize outside of the central nervous system, which
exceeding that of benign should be screened for in the setting of radiographic suspicion or pathologic
meningioma trajectories, confirmation. 68Gallium-dodecanetetraacetic acid tyrosine-3-octreotate
irregular tumor shape, (DOTATATE) positron emission tomography (PET) for detection of somatostatin
intratumoral heterogeneity
receptor expression, which is enriched in meningiomas, can sometimes help
including the presence of
central necrosis or distinguish meningiomas from mimickers, although it is not highly specific.8
hemorrhage, a knobby or
ill-defined pattern of SCHWANNOMAS
tumor-brain interface, and
Schwannomas are benign spindle cell neoplasms arising from Schwann cells,
potentially the extent of
peritumoral edema all raise most classically described as from the Obersteiner-Redlick glial-Schwann cell
concern for more aggressive junction. Within the cranium, schwannomas of the vestibular nerve, historically
behavior. and colloquially termed acoustic neuromas, are the most common location,
followed by schwannomas of the trigeminal and lower cranial nerves.
● Falcine and parasagittal
meningiomas are more likely
Schwannomas of the motor cranial nerves, including the hypoglossal, facial, and
to be higher grade whereas oculomotor nerves, are fairly rare, and each harbors a distinct presentation.
midline anterior skull base Vestibular schwannomas may originate anywhere along the peripheral eighth
meningiomas tend to be cranial nerve, from the distal internal auditory canal to the cerebellopontine
benign.
cistern, with its point of origin relative to the cisternal arachnoid dictating its
relationship to the closely abutting cochlear nerve, facial nerve, brainstem, and
their corresponding functions.9 A subset of schwannomas do not appear to grow
after detection; those that do grow increase by 1 to 1.5 mm per year on average,
although not always linearly across long-term follow-up.10 Absence of

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radiographic growth may still be associated with progressive hearing loss over
time. Most schwannomas are solid in consistency and show homogeneous or
heterogeneous enhancement on MRI, with the heterogeneity reflecting
intratumoral cysts or microhemorrhages (FIGURE 6-4). Cystic sporadic
schwannomas, and those associated with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), tend
to exhibit more rapid growth compared with solid sporadic schwannomas.
Management of these tumors is heavily influenced by the size at presentation
and the presence of neurologic deficits. Large (greater than 3 cm) and giant
(greater than 4 cm) schwannomas generally need treatment, with surgery being
the most effective at alleviating symptomatic mass effect. Small- and
medium-sized schwannomas may be observed or treated, which entails surgery
or radiation, after a detailed discussion of quality of life, functional preservation,
and risks of treatment considerations with a clinician experienced in skull base
tumors. T2-weighted MRI is suitable for serial monitoring of known sporadic
schwannomas to minimize long-term gadolinium exposure.11
In patients with NF2, multiple synchronous schwannomas and meningiomas
of different grades and subtypes may present on imaging. Given the lifetime
cumulative risk of new tumor development, observation of growing tumors is

FIGURE 6-4
Schwannomas. Postcontrast T1-weighted axial (A) and coronal (B) postcontrast T1-weighted
MRI of a right vestibular schwannoma demonstrating avid enhancement with a speckled
appearance on T2-weighted images (C). Postcontrast T1-weighted axial (D) and coronal
(E) postcontrast T1-weighted MRI of a right hypoglossal schwannoma demonstrating irregular
enhancement with partially cystic and partially centrally necrotic features seen on the
T2-weighted images (F).

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

the general rule until symptomatic mass effect occurs. Discerning malignant
from benign tumors in the setting of NF2 can also inform the order of tumor
treatment in this setting.

PITUITARY TUMORS AND CRANIOPHARYNGIOMAS

The sellar and parasellar region contains a confluence of tissue types, each of
which may give rise to a tumor (FIGURE 6-512). The most common tumor within
the sella is the pituitary adenoma, arising from the anterior pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis) and comprising approximately 16% of all primary brain
tumors.13 Other less common lesions in the sellar and suprasellar region include
craniopharyngioma, Rathke cleft cyst, arachnoid cyst, meningioma, metastasis,
germ cell tumors, sarcoid and other inflammatory lesions, hypothalamic
hamartomas or lymphocytic hypophysitis, and vascular pathologies.
The pituitary gland is fed by two major vascular supplies, reflective of its dual
embryologic origin. The adenohypophysis and infundibulum are primarily
supplied by the superior hypophysial artery and branches of the posterior
communicating artery whereas the posterior neurohypophysis derives blood
supply from the inferior hypophysial artery, with a robust portal network in
between. This rich blood supply contributes to differential (faster) uptake of
contrast by pituitary adenomas compared with the normal pituitary gland, as
teased out by dynamic contrast MRI protocols.
Pituitary adenomas are classified based on size, direction, the extent of
growth, hormonal status, and, more recently, expression of transcription factors.
Tumors smaller than 1 cm in diameter are considered microadenomas whereas
those 1 cm and larger are termed macroadenomas. Smaller tumors are diagnosed
either incidentally or by perturbing the endocrinologic equilibrium through
overproduction (hypersecretion) of a critical hormone. Serologic testing for

FIGURE 6-5
Normal anatomy of the sellar and parasellar regions surrounding the pituitary gland in the
coronal (A) and sagittal (B) planes.
Reprinted with permission from Di Ieva A, et al, Nat Rev Endocrinol.12 © 2014 Nature Publishing Group.

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adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, growth hormone, insulinlike KEY POINTS
growth factor 1, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone,
● Solitary fibrous tumors,
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin is the most steadfast method formerly termed
of establishing a functional, or hormone-secreting, pituitary adenoma. hemangiopericytoma, are a
Among these, a microadenoma leading to Cushing disease may be more highly vascular mimic of
capricious to establish serologically as well as radiographically if it is very small. meningiomas and may
metastasize outside of the
Dynamic contrast protocols and 7T MRI protocols provide high resolution but
central nervous system.
may still not confirm the precise location of a microadenoma secreting ACTH. In
these cases, inferior petrosal sinus sampling may help distinguish the diagnosis of ● Schwannomas
Cushing disease from Cushing syndrome and the laterality of the tumor within demonstrate variable
the gland. growth rates, with cystic
and neurofibromatosis type
Macroadenomas manifest with visual alterations when tumors grow rostrally 2–associated tumors more
to compress the optic chiasm, causing visual field or acuity deficits, or laterally to likely to exhibit faster
compress the nerves of the cavernous sinus, causing diplopia or upper facial growth.
numbness. Both hypersecretion and underproduction of hormones due to
● Although
compression of the normal pituitary gland by a large tumor can exert cumulative contrast-enhanced
physiologic effects over time. Sudden infarction of a pituitary macroadenoma, T1-weighted MRI remains
the most common
modality to visualize
schwannomas, T2-weighted
MRI may be suitable for
long-term surveillance of
schwannoma growth.

FIGURE 6-6
Hardy and Knosp classifications of pituitary macroadenoma growth. Hardy classification
system: Grade 0; intact with normal contour; grade I, intact with bulging floor; grade II, intact,
enlarged fossa; grade III, invasive with localized sellar destruction; grade IV, invasive with
diffuse destruction. Suprasellar tumors can be symmetric, occupying the suprasellar cistern
only (A), the recess of the third ventricle (B), or the whole anterior portion of the third
ventricle (C); asymmetric and intracranial extradural (D); or extracranial extradural (E)
occupying the cavernous sinus. Knosp classification system; Grade 0 is no cavernous sinus
involvement; grade 1 indicates compression against the medial wall of the cavernous sinus
restricted to a hypothetical line extending between the centers of the two segments of the
internal carotid artery; grade 2 extends beyond this line without passing a line tangent to the
lateral margins of the artery itself; grade 3 confers tumor extension laterally to the internal
carotid artery within the cavernous sinus; grade 4 describes total encasement of the
intracavernous portion of the carotid artery.
Reprinted with permission from Di Ieva A, et al, Nat Rev Endocrinol.12 © 2014 Nature Publishing Group.

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

which can be either hemorrhagic (detectable as blood on CT or MRI) or ischemic,

leads to pituitary tumor apoplexy. Pituitary (tumor) apoplexy is a clinical
diagnosis manifesting with sudden onset headache, ophthalmoparesis, and
potential visual loss, with or without accompanying hemorrhagic conversion
on imaging.
Growth of pituitary adenomas beyond the boundary of the sella turcica is
commonly described by the Knosp classification for lateral extension to the
cavernous sinus and the Hardy classification, as modified by Wilson, for
rostral-caudal extension (FIGURE 6-6).14,15 Different adenoma subtypes
exhibit predilections for specific trajectories of growth. For example, growth
hormone macroadenomas more frequently grow caudally and involve the
bony clivus.16
Consistent with the general skull base principle that the origin of the tumor
dictates displacement of adjacent anatomic structures, inspection of the
pituitary stalk in the sagittal plane may provide clues to the diagnosis of a
sellar mass. Tumors of the posteriorly located neurohypophysis tend to deflect

CASE 6-3 A 36-year-old man presented with several months of blurry vision and
increased thirst and was found to have a heterogeneously enhancing
suprasellar mass with extension to the optic chiasm and left proximal
optic nerve (FIGURE 6-7). The profound extent of T2-weighted hyperintense
signal along the optic nerves and tracts was confounding for tumor
involvement or edema. Visual field examination revealed an inferior
temporal field deficit in his left eye. He underwent a right
cranio-orbitozygomatic approach for gross total resection of the tumor.
Pathology revealed a BRAFV600E-mutant papillary craniopharyngioma. His
vision recovered fully, but he continued to experience diabetes insipidus,
as anticipated given the tumor origin from and involvement of the
infundibulum.

COMMENT This case illustrates the potential for optic nerve T2-hyperintense signal to
reflect either edema or infiltrative tumor. With the complete recovery, in
this case, it signified edema from a craniopharyngioma rather than an optic
nerve tumor.

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the infundibulum forward, as do Rathke cleft cysts, which arise from the
vestigial lumen of the Rathke pouch between the anterior and posterior
pituitary lobes. Cystic lesions of the sellar and suprasellar compartments also
include cystic pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, or, less commonly, an
arachnoid cyst.
Craniopharyngiomas fall into two types, adamantinomatous and papillary,
with distinct histology, epidemiology, and genetic signatures.
Craniopharyngiomas span the age spectrum, from children to adults, with a
bimodal peak. Pediatric craniopharyngiomas are almost exclusively
adamantinomatous whereas adult craniopharyngiomas can be either type.
Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas classically exhibit cystic or a mixture of
cystic and nodular appearance on MRI whereas papillary types are more often
solid or mixed cystic-solid, although a predominantly cystic appearance does not
exclude papillary craniopharyngioma (CASE 6-3). Intratumoral calcification, best
detected on CT, may support the diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma over that of
cystic pituitary adenoma or other cystic lesions.

FIGURE 6-7
Papillary craniopharyngioma shown in the imaging of the patient in CASE 6-3. Coronal
postcontrast T1-weighted (A, B) and T2-weighted (C) sequences, as well as axial
postcontrast T1-weighted (D, E) and T2-weighted (F) sequences, highlighting a
rim-enhancing cystic and nodular suprasellar mass with significant T2-hyperintense signal
within bilateral proximal optic nerves. Arrows in panels C and F show the enlarged optic
nerves. Postoperative coronal postcontrast T1-weighted (G), axial postcontrast T1-weighted
(H), and axial T2-weighted (I) images showing gross total resection and resolution of
edema within the bilateral optic nerves.

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IMAGING OF SKULL BASE TUMORS

Craniopharyngiomas arise anywhere along the infundibulum and may be

primarily sellar, suprasellar, or even within the third ventricle. Given its
involvement in the pituitary stalk, diabetes insipidus is a common symptom of
craniopharyngiomas, either on presentation or after treatment.
Suspicion for a papillary craniopharyngioma in an adult based on imaging
carries therapeutic implications since the discovery that 95% of papillary
craniopharyngiomas possess a BRAFV600E mutation and may be susceptible to
targeted inhibition.17,18 In comparison, adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas
are largely driven by alterations in the WNT signaling pathway, for which no
effective pharmacologic therapies exist to date.

CHORDOMAS AND CHONDROSARCOMAS

The clivus and petroclival junction, just caudal to the sella, gives rise to
chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Although these two pathologies are often
linked together, they exhibit different degrees of local aggressiveness and
response to treatment. Expression of the notochord transcription factor
brachyury protein is pathognomonic for chordomas and absent in
chondrosarcomas.
Chordomas arise from remnants of the primitive notochord and are,
therefore, frequently midline in location. In comparison, chondrosarcomas are
mesenchymal tumors arising from the petroclival junction and exhibit
paramedian eccentric growth through the skull base. On MRI, both may appear
hyperintense on T2-weighted images and hypointense or isointense on
T1-weighted images. Chondrosarcomas, in contrast to chordomas, often exhibit
pronounced calcification, which is best appreciated on CT. Depending on the
trajectory of growth, involvement of the abducens nerve causing diplopia is a
common symptom of these tumors, most often in either its cisternal segment or
as it courses through the Dorello canal. Furthermore, the tumor may abut or
encase the internal carotid artery along its course from the cervical segment to
the petrous segment or beyond.
Surgical resection, with or without radiation, confers long-term disease
control for benign chondrosarcomas. In comparison, chordomas are more likely
to recur over time, especially if subtotal resection was achieved at initial
diagnosis, and mandates lifelong surveillance.

OTHER SKULL BASE PATHOLOGIES

Diverse other pathologies pepper the skull base, each with unique imaging
characteristics. A comprehensive discussion of each is beyond the scope of this
review. Notable non-neoplastic extra-axial pathologies that frequently cluster
with skull base tumors include epidermoid and dermoid cysts.
Epidermoid cysts are keratin collections lined by a thin layer of stratified
squamous epithelium. They avidly restrict on diffusion-weighted MRI, are
hyperintense to isointense on T2-weighted MRI, and are hypointense on
T1-weighted images, with minimal contrast enhancement typically of the
cyst wall. Dermoid cysts are inclusion bodies of ectodermal tissue entrapped
during development. Hence, they may contain a mixture of squamous
epithelium, sebaceous content, and hair (dermal) structures. Consistent with the
contents of dermoid cysts, they often exhibit a more heterogeneous appearance
on MRI, with fatty components being hyperintense on unenhanced
T1-weighted MRI.

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TRENDS KEY POINTS
Improved understanding of the natural history of skull base tumors and
● Rathke cleft cysts and
predictors for deleterious impact on quality of life has empowered clinicians to neurohypophysial tumors
better guide patients with these diagnoses. Advanced imaging modalities, push the pituitary stalk
including on MRI and PET scans, hold additional promise to enhance diagnostic anteriorly, as best
capabilities. Tailoring imaging protocols to the characteristics of the tumor, such appreciated on sagittal
imaging, because of their
as the use of T2-based surveillance imaging in long-term follow-up of vestibular
origin posterior to the
schwannomas, can further diminish the risk to patients. adenohypophysis.
In parallel with hardware and software developments, advances in the fields
of radiomics and artificial intelligence have highlighted a strong link between the ● Craniopharyngiomas
phenotype (radiographic features) and genotype or biological character of in children are
almost exclusively
tumors.19,20 If further developed, radiomic analyses hold great promise as a adamantinomatous
democratizing force in brain and skull base tumor stratification because MRI or whereas papillary
CT is far more accessible globally compared with genomic profiling platforms. craniopharyngiomas are
Imaging characterization of cranial tumors, down to their molecular signatures, found in adults, commonly
with a BRAFV600E mutation.
by MRI alone may disrupt our current clinical workflow of obtaining definitive
pathology only through tissue sampling of the tumor. These techniques could ● Chondrosarcomas exhibit
broaden the management options on upfront detection of a tumor, as well as pronounced calcification in
improve prognostication and tracking of tumor transformation over time. comparison to chordomas
and are typically eccentric
toward one side as opposed
to midline.
CONCLUSION
Imaging has offered one of the greatest advances in our understanding of skull ● Epidermoid cysts are best
base pathologies over the past half century. Detailed review of CT and MRI often characterized by their avid
restricted diffusion on
provides insights into the growth rate, benign or malignant nature, and specific diffusion-weighted imaging
diagnosis of skull base tumors. Ready access to imaging and the ease of sequences.
prescribing imaging for myriad reasons heighten the need for careful
understanding of indications for treatment because serial observation may be a ● Radiomic analyses of
conventional tumor imaging
safe and prudent alternative for many skull base pathologies. If treatment, may augment the prediction
especially surgery, becomes indicated, the soft tissue, bony, and vascular of biological signatures in
relationships of skull base tumors each contribute to the safe planning of surgery. the future.
Furthermore, the combination of these radiographic and anatomic factors allows
for stratification in discussing the risks of intervention with patients. As future
software advances couple with hardware advances, clinicians may be able to
extract even greater biological information from imaging.

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