Pathogenesis of intraparenchymal epidermoid cyst in the brain - A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Intracranial epidermoid cysts are relatively common; however, epidermoid cysts in the brain parenchyma are rare. In addition, the etiology of intraparenchymal epidermoid cysts is not clear. CASE DESCRIPTION A 61-year-old woman presented with convulsive seizures. CT and MRI revealed a mass lesion in the right parietal lobe. With low-grade glioma as a preoperative diagnosis, the tumor was totally excised, but the subsequent pathologic diagnosis was epidermoid cyst. CONCLUSION Exact preoperative diagnosis of this disease would be helpful in preventing chemical meningitis. The etiology is likely related to the time and locus of sequestration of ectodermal tissue during fetal development. Clarifying the pathogenesis will lead to effective preventive measures. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc.