Primary Skull Osteosarcoma: MDCT Evaluation and Histopathological Correlation in Two Cases.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Skeletal Tumors
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Osteosarcomas are malignant bone tumors, predominantly affecting long bones.
• Skull osteosarcomas are exceptionally rare, with literature often limited to single case reports.
• These tumors can be primary or secondary, with the latter often linked to Paget's disease or radiation therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report two distinct cases of primary osteosarcoma of the skull.
• To illustrate the diverse clinical manifestations of cranial osteosarcomas.
• To emphasize the importance of comprehensive evaluation, including advanced imaging and histopathology.

Main Methods:

• Case report of two patients with primary skull osteosarcoma.
• Clinical presentation details including cerebellar symptoms and skull swelling.
• Diagnostic workup involved 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scans.
• Histopathological correlation for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• One patient presented with neurological deficits suggestive of cerebellar involvement.
• The second patient exhibited significant, rapid skull enlargement.
• Both cases were confirmed as primary osteosarcomas of the skull via histopathology.
• CT imaging provided detailed anatomical information for surgical planning.

Conclusions:

• Primary osteosarcoma of the skull, though rare, can present with varied and significant clinical symptoms.
• Multidetector CT and histopathology are crucial for accurate diagnosis and characterization.
• These findings contribute to the limited understanding of cranial osteosarcomas and their management.