Ruptured dermoid cyst of the lateral cavernous sinus wall with temporary symptoms: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundDermoid cysts are non-neoplastic tumors that arise from defects in the separation of the neuroectoderm. Cyst rupture rarely occurs spontaneously and the most common symptom is headache, followed by seizure. Although many cases of ruptured dermoid cysts present with symptoms, reports of cases that are asymptomatic, or where symptoms disappear, are rare.Case presentationWe report the case of a 66-year-old Asian man with a history of sudden onset headache who was found to have high amounts of fat material in the subarachnoid space and a fat suppression mass in the left cavernous sinus. He underwent oral steroid therapy. Five days after starting medication his headache symptoms disappeared. Routine neurological imaging was then performed without surgical procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed evidence of the remains of a static lesion 6 months after his first visit. He has remained headache free for 10 months since the initial event.ConclusionsAlthough cases of ruptured dermoid cysts presenting with consistent symptoms have been commonly reported, until now there were few reports on asymptomatic cases or cases where symptoms disappeared. We believe that surgical intervention is unnecessary for ruptured dermoid cysts with minimal symptoms.

Three Rare Localizations of Intracranial Dermoid Tumors

“…Extradural dermoid cysts occurs in posterior fossa, anterior fontanel and orbita regions in children (1,6,11). Extradural dermoid tumor, which is located in the paramedian petrous apex and leads to bone erosion, has been reported only in one case in adults (5). But in our study all cases were atypic localizated such as calvarium, lateral ventricle and temporal lobe.…”

“…Dermoid is often present in parasellar and frontobasal regions in the midline, particularly in the intradural parts of these regions (1). The dermoid cysts may be present in several different locations, these locations were reported to be frontal lobe, frontal base, parasellar, suprasellar, middle base, Sylvian fissure, hypothalamus, temporal lobe, pineal, posterior fossa, cerebellopontine angle, fourth ventricle and clivus (5).…”

A retrobulbar dermoid cyst with involvement of the sinus in an 18‐year old pony

“…; Kosuge et al . ). However, they may also have an acquired origin and arise following a traumatic disruption of epithelial structures (Muñoz et al .…”

Microsurgical Resection of Craniocervical Dermoid Cyst by Far Lateral Approach: Case Report and Literature Review

“…[1][2][3][4] Moreover, intracranial dermoid cysts have the component of keratinized squamous epithelium originated from the ectoderm, and composed of dermal materials like hair and sebaceous glands. [5][6][7] They are 3 to 10 times less frequent than epidermoid tumors, and have a tendency of being located near the subarachnoid space, sulci or fissures because of the space that presents minimal resistance to an easy growth rate, and the midline in the base of the skull. 12,13 Dermoid tumors located in the posterior fossa are frequent and usually require an appropriate surgical route to minimize brain retraction, postoperative edema and risk of recurrence.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Dermoid and epidermoid cysts arise from defects in the separation of the neuroectoderm during the formation of the neural tube, leading to sequestration of ectodermal remnants, and intracranial dermoid cysts occur at either end of the neuraxis and mostly near the midline. [5][6][7] Intracranial dermoids are found in the posterior fossa, supra, and parasellar regions. [8][9][10] Dermoids enlarge slowly and accumulate viscous or semi-solid yellow material composed of desquamated epithelium, sebaceous gland secretions, fat, oil, and hair.…”