Temporal dermoid cyst with a partial dermal sinus tract

Can J Neurol Sci. 1999 Nov;26(4):321-4. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100000470.

Abstract

Background: Cranial dermal sinuses are rare and occur most frequently in the posterior fossa and along the midline. Likewise, supratentorial dermoid cysts are very uncommon.

Method: We report a unique case of an adult female patient with both a supratentorial dermoid cyst and an incomplete dermal sinus tract.

Results: The patient is a 31-year-old female, who presented with a new onset complex partial seizure. Neuroimaging and surgery revealed a right superior temporal dermoid cyst with an associated dermal sinus tract. Furthermore, the dermal sinus tract was incomplete and had no cutaneous manifestations.

Conclusion: We present a rare patient with an off midline supratentorial dermoid cyst associated with a uniquely incomplete cranial dermal sinus tract. The dermal sinus tract involved the bone, dura and intradural compartment, without involving the overlying skin. This represents a novel variant in the spectrum of cranial dermal sinus abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dermoid Cyst / complications
  • Dermoid Cyst / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dermoid Cyst / surgery
  • Epilepsy, Complex Partial / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / complications
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / surgery
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / complications
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Temporal Bone / abnormalities
  • Temporal Bone / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed