Frontal dermoid cyst coexisting with suprasellar craniopharyngioma: a spectrum of ectodermally derived epithelial-lined cystic lesions?

Abstract

<jats:p>There is a wide group of lesions that may exist in the sellar and suprasellar regions. Embryologically, there is varying evidence that many of these entities may in fact represent a continuum of pathology deriving from a common ectodermal origin. The authors report a case of a concomitant suprasellar craniopharyngioma invading the third ventricle with a concurrent frontal lobe cystic dermoid tumor. A 21-year-old man presented to the authors' service with a 3-day history of worsening headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurry vision. Magnetic resonance imaging depicted a right frontal lobe lesion associated with a separate suprasellar cystic lesion invading the third ventricle. The patient underwent a right pterional craniotomy for resection of both lesions. Gross-total resection of the right frontal lesion was achieved, and subtotal resection of the suprasellar lesion was accomplished with some residual tumor adherent to the walls of the third ventricle. Histopathological examination of the resected right frontal lesion documented a diagnosis of dermoid cyst and, for the suprasellar lesion, a diagnosis of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma. The occurrence of craniopharyngioma with dermoid cyst has not been reported in the literature before. Such an association might indeed suggest the previously reported hypothesis that these lesions represent a spectrum of ectodermally derived epithelial-lined cystic lesions.</jats:p>

Vestibular schwannoma coexisting with dermoid cyst: A case report

“…Of note, dermoid cysts have a lower incidence rate and rarely coexist with other intracranial tumors. There has been one documented case of a dermoid cyst in the frontal lobe coexisting with craniopharyngioma ( 12 ).…”

“…Certain studies have proposed that both tumors may share the same genetic pathway, promoting the occurrence of both tumors, but at present, there is insufficient evidence to support this perspective ( 13 ). Dermoid cysts are widely thought to result from embryonic developmental abnormalities, whereas sporadic vestibular schwannoma appears unrelated to such developmental issues ( 12 , 16 ). Further investigation is warranted to understand the etiology of tumors in such cases.…”

The Undetermined Destiny of Case Reports in the Era of Sophisticated Medicine

“…6 The disease was initially described as a single case, and extensive reporting of more cases expanded our understanding of the nature of such an infection, its origin, route of transmission, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and clinical implications. 7 The value of case reports is also evident by their role in delineating hidden unusual disease associations, 8,9 novel genetic discoveries, 10 new surgical techniques and technical nuances, 11 unique thought-provoking disease pathogenesis, 12 decision-making challenges and conundrums, 13 cutting-edge management innovations, 14 and unusual complications. 15 Such unique cases carry new information that can be of huge educational value and are of great interest to the readers.…”