Pubertas praecox in craniopharyngioma. Case report.

A case of craniopharyngioma associated with true precocious puberty is reported in a child operated on when she was 2 years and 8 months of age. Precocity was noted 10 months after operation and was fully documented 1 year later. A pneumoencephalogram showed a recurrence of tumor in the hypothalamic area. Hormonal therapy was instituted to stop sexual maturation. Reoperation was undertaken only when her visual symptoms reappeared. She received a postoperative course of radiotherapy. On last examination, she was neurologically well, and computerized tomography did not show further growth of the residual tumor. The diagnosis of precocious puberty and its etiology in this patient are discussed.