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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
04:04
Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025
Intracranial compound odontome
Paulo Rogério de Faria1, Sérgio Vitorino Cardoso, Ademir Rocha
1Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Summary
A rare brain tumor, a compound odontome, was found in a 10-year-old boy. This tooth-like growth caused headaches and led to hypopituitarism, requiring hormone replacement therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Odontomes are typically benign tumors of odontogenic origin, usually found in the jaw.
- Extragnathic odontomes, especially those occurring within the cranial cavity, are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old boy presented with a 5-year history of progressive frontal headaches.
- Imaging revealed a calcified lesion in the sellar/suprasellar region, diagnosed as a compound odontome.
- The patient exhibited signs of hypopituitarism, including diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the compound odontome was performed.
- Post-operatively, the patient required lifelong hormone replacement therapy for his endocrine deficiencies.
- Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a compound odontome originating within the brain.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for odontogenic tumors to develop ectopically within the brain.
- The embryological link between the stomodeum and Rathke's pouch may explain the occurrence of these lesions.
- Such tumors can present with significant neurological and endocrine disturbances, necessitating multidisciplinary management.
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