CRANIAL DERMOID AND EPIDERMOID TUMORS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the surgical out come of patients with intracranial epidermoid / dermoid tumors.

Material and Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted in department of

Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from May 2003 to March 2007. Patient with radiologically

diagnosed epidermoid / dermoid tumors based on CT and MRI findings were selected. Detailed history and

clinical features along with radiological findings were documented. Operative and histopathological details

were noted.

Results: A total of 13 patients with dermoid / epidermoid tumor were analyzed. There were 8 males and 5

females with age ranged for 4 to 48 years with mean age of 30.2+13 years. The clinical features like

trigeminal neuralgia, dimness of vision and papilloedema were commonly noted. Four lesions were

supratentorial and 09 were infra-tentorial. In supratentorail tumors, two were in sylvian fissure, one in

temporal, and one in lateral ventricular area. Among infratentorial, 6 were in cerebello-pontine angle and

3 were in midline fourth ventricular area. Histological findings showed epidermoid in 10 and dermoid in

03 cases. Postoperative complications noted were CSF leakage in 2 (15.4%) cases, seizures and facial

palsy in 1 patient (7.7%) each. Two patients died during the study period due to post operative

complications.

Conclusion: Dermoid / epidermoid are tumors of 2nd and 3rd decade of life, midline are dermoid while

laterally located are epidermoid tumors. Safe resection is the only treatment option available.