A Rathke's fissure develops in some individuals when the proliferating anterior wall of the pocket does not completely fill the pocket and only a gap remains. In some patients, a benign neoplasm called a craniopharyngioma can arise/develop from the various cystic remnants of the pocket.
This is seen in children between the ages of five and 10 years, in both boys and girls. Sometimes it appears in adults. Symptoms characteristic of this tumour include headache, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, large head size, hearing and balance problems. Diagnosis requires CT and CT scanning, and treatment in most cases involves surgical removal of the lesion.