Mutism: For Diagnosis

Abstract

At operation (Mr. Wylie McKissock) a large, cystic tumour was discovered which contained large quantities of candle-grease-like material characteristic of that found in cholesteatoma. The tumour was completely removed.Histologically it was characteristic of a cholesteatoma. The patient made an uneventful and complete recovery.Summary.-These two cases have been presented as intra-diploic, intracranial tumours which were apparently calcified. They had arisen in the diploe of the skull vault and pushed before them a thinned layer of the inner table. It is important, from a radiological point of view, that this possibility should be appreciated and that the calcification of the tumours was apparent and not real, especially as calcification in epidermoid tumours is uncommon and almost unknown in neurofibromata.