title: Long-term survival in a child with a brain stem dermoid cyst.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain stem dermoid cysts are very rare lesions, and in most, the outcome has been very poor. Because of the dangers of dissecting the cyst wall away from the brain stem parenchyma, some authors have advocated not to attempt a radical resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a child in whom the brain stem dermoid cyst recurred rapidly after a conservative approach. We therefore attempted a radical removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During surgery, the almost complete resection of the cyst wall was not very difficult, leading to an apparent cure after 4 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In exceptional cases, it may be possible to remove a brain stem dermoid cyst without prohibitive morbidity and with long-term cure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. frank.Vancalenbergh@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Calenbergh
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demaerel
authors.forename: Raf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sciot
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Gool
mesh_terms: D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000473:pathology; D004805:Ependyma / Q000601:surgery; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020546:Fourth Ventricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012086:Reoperation; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome