Neuroradiologic study of hamartomas of the tuber cinereum and hypothalamus.

Five cases, four histologically proven, of hamartoma of the tuber cinereum and hypothalamus in children are reported. The ages of the patients range from 2 to 12 years. Three cases had pubertas praecox, and in all of these the hamartoma was located in the basal cistern between the chiasm and pons and had a collar button shape and size typical of hamartoma of the tuber cinereum. In the third case, a huge calcified mass in the suprasellar region was initially thought to be craniopharyngioma. The fourth case had a hamartoma within the substance of the hypothalamus and presented with hyponatremia and temporal lobe seizures.