title: Mucocele of the petrous apex.
abstract: The first case of a primary mucocele of the petrous apex is presented and the differential diagnosis is briefly discussed. Since this area is unavailable for direct examination, a thorough radiographic evaluation is essential. A mucocele should be suspected when a lytic lesion has a multiloculated appearance and when the contralateral petrous apex is highly pneumatized. Even then, a biopsy may still be needed to make a definitive diagnosis. The appropriate treatment for these cystic lesions is fistulization into a radical mastoid cavity or an exteriorized sphenoid sinus.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009078:Mucocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography