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Primary cranial vault lymphoma presenting as a traumatic subdural hematoma
C Evliyaoğlu1, K Ilbay, C Ercin
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. cevliyaoglu@hotmail.com
Zentralblatt Fur Neurochirurgie
|March 7, 2006
Summary
This case report highlights a rare primary cranial vault lymphoma that mimicked a subdural hematoma after head trauma. Prompt diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for differentiating such cranial vault masses.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Primary cranial vault lymphoma is an exceptionally rare condition.
- It can present insidiously, mimicking more common post-traumatic intracranial pathologies.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old woman presented with hemiparesis and a palpable cranial mass after head trauma.
- Initial computed tomography (CT) revealed a subdural and subgaleal lesion suggestive of a hematoma with mass effect.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration revealed a tumor, with histopathology confirming high-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emphasized as a definitive diagnostic tool for unclear cranial vault lesions.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses like primary cranial vault lymphoma in the differential for cranial masses.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis, potentially aided by MRI, is critical for appropriate patient management and treatment.
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