Skull metastasis revealing a papillary thyroid carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Neurosurgery
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Thyroid carcinoma, while common, rarely metastasizes to the skull.
• Metastatic spread to the skull presents a diagnostic challenge, often mimicking other cranial pathologies.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old woman presented with a year-long history of a growing frontal and parietal skull mass, initially misdiagnosed as meningioma.
• Skull base mass biopsy revealed a tumor of thyroid origin, leading to subsequent total thyroidectomy.

Findings:

• Pathological examination confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma with frontal and parietal bone metastasis.
• This case highlights the importance of considering thyroid origin in skull masses.

Implications:

• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are key for managing skull metastasis of thyroid carcinoma.
• Meticulous investigation by a multidisciplinary team is essential for improving patient quality of life.