Skull base malignant lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the skull base is reported. A 62-year-old man was admitted with headache and diplopia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed an abnormal mass in the right parasellar region. The final diagnosis after surgery was primary malignant lymphoma of the skull base. Primary malignant lymphomas sometimes occur in the central nervous system but those in the skull base are exceptional. The present paper presents just such a rare case of malignant lymphoma of the skull base. Diagnosis and combined therapy consisting of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the disease are discussed, and the literature on recent clinical problems of central nervous system lymphomas is reviewed.