No abstract

A correct localizing diagnosis of a suprasellar lesion is generally easy. Primary optic atrophy, visual-field distortions, sellar changes, suprasellar calcification, oculomotor palsies, signs of dyspituitarism and so on, taken together constitute a symptom-complex pointing unmistakably to the suprasellar region. On the other hand, the preoperative diagnosis of the morbid nature of the process is far more difficult. An analysis undertaken at CUSHING'S suggestion by DEERY (12) in 1930 revealed that although the localizing diagnosis had been made preoperatively in all the 170 cases of suprasellar lesions reviewed, the morbid nature of the process had been correctly diagnosed in only 85 instances (exactly 50 per cent of the cases). The incorrect diagnosis had often been caused by a misinterpretation of the roentgen findings.The appearance of the sella turcica and the presence or the absence of suprasellar calcification are the two main roentgenological features in studying suprasellar lesions. The finding of suprasellar calcification is a sign which is often considered to constitute a clue in the differential diagnosis. Suprasellar calcification means craniopharyngioma for most of authors; some, however, have found suprasellar calcification in other lesions besides craniopharyngiomas, but no systematic study of a large material has been carried out. The present writers therefore have con-

No abstract