CT pitfalls in emergency radiology: a chronically ruptured intra-cranial dermoid tumor mimicking pneumocephalus in an acute multi-trauma evaluation.
Traumatic rupture of an intracranial dermoid tumor is an unusual event. In this case, however, a ruptured intracranial dermoid is noted, but in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms. The lack of symptoms coupled with an abnormal cerebral computed tomography (CT) initially created confusion among clinicians until a more detailed history and more careful analysis of the head CT revealed the plausible answer.
Ptak
Thomas
T
Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology and NeuroRadiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, FND-210, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. thomas_ptak@hms.harvard.edu
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media