Intracavernous epidermoid tumor presenting with abducens nerve paresis--case report

An unusual case of a pediatric epidermoid tumor entirely located in the cavernous sinus is reported. A 6-year-old boy presented with left abducens nerve paresis which developed over 2 months. Neuroimaging demonstrated a lesion in the left cavernous sinus. Part of the tumor capsule and the pearly contents were removed by the left pterional approach through Dolenc's anterolateral triangle. No bleeding from the cavernous sinus occurred. The tumor was histologically identified as an epidermoid tumor. Postoperatively, the abducens nerve paresis improved. The presence of dural reflection in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus and displacement of the intracavernous internal carotid artery are useful indicators for intracavernous lesions.