Giant congenital intracranial epidermoid tumor: a case report

A case of a large epidermoid tumor in a middle-aged woman with limited symptomatology is reported. Intracranial epidermoid tumors are slow growing and benign lesions. Although the treatment of choice consists in complete resection, partial removal may be preferred in some very extended cases presenting with minimal symptomatology because of the lower morbidity involved. This case illustrates a key-hole approach via a retrolabyrinthine route with preservation of all labyrinthine structures, including the endolymphatic sac and duct. The epidermoid was partially removed by extensive intracapsular debulking under endoscopic control with the aim of decreasing cerebral compression. All cranial nerve functions were preserved and the 6 month postoperative imaging has remained unchanged over a 2-year long follow-up period. The literature regarding this rare pathology is also reviewed.