title: Parasellar epidermoid cyst rupturing into the nasopharynx.
abstract: Epidermoid tumours are non-neoplastic inclusion cysts representing up to 1.1 per cent of all intracranial tumours, typically presenting with symptoms related to pressure or intracranial rupture in the fourth or fifth decade of life. The authors present a case of a parasellar epidermoid cyst which has ruptured in to the nasopharynx; to the best of their knowledge, this has not been previously reported. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are presented. The pathology and radiological features of epidermoid tumours are discussed, particularly in relation to extracranial connections. The differential diagnosis of lesions eroding the central skull base is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: S E J
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed