Intracranial invasion of a basal cell carcinoma of the scalp.
OBJECTIVE
Basal cell carcinomas are common lesions that can have a locally invasive behavior. The authors present a case of a scalp lesion with skull and dura-mater invasion that was unrecognized prior to surgical undertaking.


METHODS
A 66-year-old female presented with an extensive ulcerating lesion on the frontal scalp, deemed to be a basal cell carcinoma. The plastic surgery team brought her to the operating room for resection but subsequently backed off after the discovery of bony invasion. Imaging revealed extensive bony and epidural extension.


METHODS
Resection of the invaded frontal scalp, bone, dura-mater and proximal part of the superior sagittal sinus was performed. This was followed by a reconstructive procedure consisting of a duraplasty, a cranioplasty, and a skin rotation flap and partial-thickness skin grafting.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiological evaluation of scalp basal cell carcinomas should be done prior to surgery to rule out any bony or intracranial invasion.
Mathieu
David
D
Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
Fortin
David
D
D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology*