Craniopharyngiomas are usually confined to the sellar and suprasellar regions; infrasellar craniopharyngioma is rare. From
an embryological point of view, this unusual localisation can be explained by Erdheim's theory that these tumours can arise
anywhere along the craniopharyngeal canal (CPC). However, there has been no proof of this theory, because the CPC is usually
obliterated during the 12th week of gestation. I present a case of supra- and infrasellar craniopharyngiomas with a persistent
CPC. Imaging demonstrated an intimate relationship between the infrasellar tumour and the CPC, supporting Erdheim's view.
Keywords Craniopharyngioma - Nasopharyngeal neoplasms - Craniopharyngeal canal
Received: 21 September 2000/Accepted: 1 February 2001