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Cranial fasciitis of childhood
Harold F Keyserling1, Mauricio Castillo, J Keith Smith
1Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC 27559, USA.
Insights
Cranial fasciitis, a benign skull tumor in children, is histologically similar to nodular fasciitis. This study details a case, including its diffusion-weighted imaging appearance, highlighting its potential to mimic aggressive conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Skeletal Pathology
Background:
- Cranial fasciitis is a rare, benign fibroblastic tumor affecting the skull, predominantly in young children.
- Histologically, it is indistinguishable from nodular fasciitis, a common soft tissue tumor.
- Distinguishing cranial fasciitis from more aggressive bone lesions is crucial for appropriate patient management.
Observation:
- This report details a case of cranial fasciitis in a 7-month-old male infant.
- Clinical and radiographic presentations are described, emphasizing the tumor's location on the skull.
- The study includes the initial description of cranial fasciitis using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
Findings:
- Radiologic findings, particularly DWI, are presented for cranial fasciitis.
- The case demonstrates the clinical and radiographic similarities between cranial fasciitis and aggressive tumors.
- Pathologic examination confirmed the benign fibroblastic nature of the lesion.
Implications:
- The findings emphasize the importance of considering cranial fasciitis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric skull masses.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging may offer valuable insights for differentiating cranial fasciitis from malignant conditions.
- Accurate diagnosis prevents unnecessary aggressive treatments for this benign condition.
Abstract:
Cranial fasciitis is a benign fibroblastic tumor of the skull found almost exclusively in young children. It is histologically identical to nodular fasciitis. We present the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of a 7-month-old male infant with cranial fasciitis of the skull. Herein, we include the first description of this entity's diffusion-weighted imaging appearance. Although rare, cranial fasciitis can mimic more aggressive processes both clinically and radiographically.