J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2015 May;57(5):364-366. 10.3340/jkns.2015.57.5.364.

A Ruptured Dermoid Cyst of the Cavernous Sinus Extending into the Posterior Fossa

• Paik SC
• Kim CH
• Cheong JH
• Kim JM

• KMID: 1881734
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2015.57.5.364

Abstract

Supratentorial dermoid cysts are uncommon to develop in the cavernous sinus. We present a ruptured dermoid cyst of the cavernous sinus extending into the posterior fossa. The patient was a 32-year-old female who complained occipital headache, blurred vision, and tinnitus over 4 years. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed an enhanced tumor in the right cavernous sinus extending into the right temporal base and the posterior fossa with findings of ruptured cyst. Surgical resection was performed, and pathological findings were confirmed to be a dermoid cyst. We report a second case with ruptured dermoid cyst of the cavernous sinus extending into the posterior fossa.

Keyword

Cavernous sinus; Dermoid cyst; Posterior fossa; Rupture; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Adult
Brain
Cavernous Sinus*
Dermoid Cyst*
Female
Headache
Humans
Rupture
Tinnitus

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Preoperative brain magnetic resonance (MR) images. A : Axial T1-weighted MR image reveals a hypointense tumor with partially mixed signal intensity in the right middle and posterior fossa of the skull. B : Axial T2-weighted MR image shows a hyperintense tumor in the skull base including cavernous sinus. C : Axial T1-weighted MR image demonstrates multiple hyperintense lesions in the right lateral ventricle and basal cisterns suggesting the content of cystic rupture. D : Coronal T1-weighted enhanced MR image shows an enhanced tumor in the right cavernous sinus and temporal base.

• 

  Fig. 2 Photomicrographs show the keratinized stratified epithelium with hair follicles and numerous sebaceous glands suggesting dermoid cyst (H&E staining, A : ×40, B : ×100).

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