Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
04:04

Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection

Published on: August 15, 2025

Posterior fossa abscesses secondary to dermal sinus associated with dermoid cyst in children

B Yang1, H-M Jin, L-P Sun

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, PR China.

Neuropediatrics
|May 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Posterior fossa abscesses in children can stem from dermoid cysts linked to dermal sinuses. Early surgical intervention is crucial for successful outcomes and preventing neurological damage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Posterior fossa abscesses are rare, particularly when secondary to dermal sinuses associated with dermoid cysts.
  • Dermal sinuses, often presenting as occipital skin dimples, can serve as a pathway for bacterial infections.

Observation:

  • Four pediatric cases of posterior fossa abscesses secondary to dermoid cysts and dermal sinuses were analyzed over 15 years.
  • Patients presented with increased intracranial pressure and meningitis symptoms due to bacterial infection.
  • Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging were vital in identifying the dermal sinus pathway and intracranial lesions.

Findings:

  • Complete surgical resection of the dermoid cyst and abscess was achieved in all cases.
  • No neurological sequelae were observed post-intervention.
  • Bacterial infection through the dermal sinus was confirmed as the cause of cerebellar abscesses.

Implications:

  • Occipital dermal sinuses in children warrant consideration for underlying posterior fossa dermoid cysts.
  • Prompt neurosurgical evaluation and intervention, including drainage and resection, are essential for managing these rare conditions.
  • Advanced imaging techniques like CT and MR are critical for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.

More Related Videos

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

Cranial Bones: Lateral View

The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands01:21

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands

A sebaceous gland is a type of oil gland found almost all over the skin ( except palms and soles) and helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. Most sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles. They generate and excrete sebum, a mixture of lipids, onto the skin surface, thereby naturally lubricating the dry and dead layer of keratinized cells of the stratum corneum, keeping it pliable.
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...