Intracranial epidermoid cysts

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare and constitute only 0%-8% of all intracranial tumors. Ten cases with verified pathology were observed during a 3-year period, comprising 4% of our brain tumors. There were two rare intracerebral cysts and one hourglass-shaped lesion involving the middle and posterior fossa. One patient presented with suprasellar retrochiasmative lesion, the remaining patients had C-P angle epidermoid cysts. Patients were aged between 18 and 58 years (averaging 41 years) with a long history of progressive neurological deficit (average 4.3 years). There were 6 women and 4 men. The clinical symptoms differed according to the location of the lesions. High-resolution computerized tomography was the main diagnostic procedure for these lesions. Typically, they revealed a hypodense and non-enhanced mass lesion. Calcification was seen in three of our patients. Total gross resection of cysts should be attempted whenever the cystic wall allows, especially for patients with unbearable trigeminal neuralgia. The post-operative results for this benign tumor were excellent in most patients.