Cranial and orbital epidermoid tumours

This paper reports on 14 cases of cranial and orbital epidermoid tumours, of which 2 epicranial, 4 extradural intracranial, 4 fronto-orbital-sinusal, 2 orbital and 2 orbito-nasal cases. Referring to these cases and data published in the specialised literature, the authors show that this type of tumour is more frequent in males, and is generally of embryologic but very rarely of mechanical origin. The main symptom is tumefaction in cranial tumours and exophthalmos in orbital tumours. There is very rarely association with a space-occupying process (tumour, cerebral abscess). Evolution is slow and progressive; the only treatment is surgical. After total ablation there were no recurrences and the postoperative course was very satisfactory.