Abstract
BACKGROUND
Intracranial dermoid cysts (DC) are rare congenital non-neoplastic lesions that account for 0.04 – 0.6% of all intracranial tumors. They are formed by a fibrous capsule composed of epidermal and dermal derivatives (hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands), enclosing a viscous fluid. Intradural DC often arise in the midline and are more common in infratentorial locations. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old male patient presented with headache, partial motor seizures and behavioral changes. Neurological examination and endocrine workup revealed no abnormalities. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion that was 4.4cm x 2.2cm x 4.4cm in size, located at supraselar region, and extended superiorly to the left lateral ventricle and anterolaterally to the left orbitofrontal lobe, associated with hyperintense fat droplets in the right lateral ventricle. We performed a left transventricular microsurgical approach. The tumor capsule was coagulated and opened and a subtotal resection with peacemeal removal of the the lesion was obtained: it had gelatinous consistency, composed of droplets of fat and hair and keratinized scamous epihelium content. A total removal of the DC capsule was not possible due to its firm adherence to optic chiasm and to hypothalamus. Histological examination revealed dermoid cyst.
CONCLUSION
Surgery is the only effective treatment, and its goal should be the radical resection of the lesion to avoid recurrence. Whenever radical resection is not possible, because of the adhesions of the cyst capsule to surrounding tissues, a subtotal resection with piecemeal removal may be a satisfactory option in such cases to avoid high morbidity.