title: Ruptured, Intracranial Dermoid Cyst - A Visual Diagnosis?
abstract: Dermoid cysts are a very rare entity of intracranial tumours. The traumatic or non-traumatic rupture of the cyst wall is a serious complication that can be treated surgically or conservatively depending on the clinical symptoms. However, more common entities have to be considered as a differential diagnosis. We report on a female patient who was admitted with complaints of significant, prolonged headache and diffuse pain. Analysis of her blood and cerebrospinal fluid indicated no clear pathology. A CT examination of the head revealed a ruptured dermoid cyst adjacent to the left sphenoidal bone. An additional MRI was conducted to confirm the CT findings and rule out an intracranial ischemia or vasospasms. A conservative therapy was scheduled and the patient recovered well. Using current imaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to identify a ruptured dermoid cyst by its pathognomonic signal behavior and rule out potentially life threatening complications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology/Neuroradiology, Westküstenklinikum Heide, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Universities of Kiel , Lübeck and Hamburg, Germany .
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology/Neuroradiology, Westküstenklinikum Heide, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Universities of Kiel , Lübeck and Hamburg, Germany .
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scheer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology/Neuroradiology, Westküstenklinikum Heide, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Universities of Kiel , Lübeck and Hamburg, Germany .
authors.forename: Reimer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andresen
keywords: CT; Contrast enhanced; Fat droplets; MRI