Congenital intracranial frontotemporal dermoid cyst presenting as a cutaneous fistula.
BACKGROUND
Intracranial extension and a cutaneous sinus tract are rarely seen with craniofacial dermoid cysts, with few cases reported in the literature.


METHODS
We report a case of a 1-year-old girl who was initially seen with a cutaneous fistula of the frontotemporal region, which revealed an intracranial dermoid cyst.


RESULTS
The patient underwent a right lateral orbitotomy by a bicoronal approach. The cyst was seated within the lateral orbital wall, with intracranial extension through the temporal and sphenoidal bones to the dura of the temporal lobe. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a dermoid cyst.


CONCLUSIONS
Craniofacial dermoid cysts may be associated with a cutaneous sinus tract and/or intracranial extension. Failure to recognize and promptly treat these lesions may lead to a progressive skeletal distortion and/or recurrent infection with a potential for meningitis or cerebral abscess. Therefore, detailed CT and MRI scans are mandatory before surgical treatment of any cutaneous fistula in the head and neck region.
Scolozzi
Paolo
P
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. scolozzi@hotmail.com
Lombardi
Tommaso
T
Jaques
Bertrand
B
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed