title: Recurrent giant cell reparative granuloma of the skull base and the paranasal sinuses presenting with acute one-sided blindness.
abstract: The etiology, pathogenesis, histopathologic diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of giant cell reparative granulomas of the skull are controversial. We report a 14-year-old girl with an advanced recurrent giant cell reparative granuloma of the skull base and paranasal sinuses whose only clinical manifestation was a loss of vision. After undergoing endovascular catheter embolization, the patient underwent repeated surgical resections of the mass via a combined frontobasal and modified infratemporal approach followed by radiation therapy. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell reparative granuloma. A traumatic event in the patient's history-a fossa canina abscess followed by tooth extraction 14 months before admission-supports the theory of a reactive reparative process as a pathogenetic mechanism for this disease. Histopathologic criteria and clinical aggressiveness must be considered to achieve adequate treatment of giant cell lesions of the skull.
authors.forename: Stefan K-R
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Plontke
authors.forename: Claus-Peter
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gawlowski
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ernemann
authors.forename: Sigrid A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Plinkert