Scalp and calvarial masses of infants and children

Review of 70 children presenting with a solitary nontraumatic lump on the head revealed that 61% of the lesions were dermoid tumor, 9% were cephalhematoma deformans, 7% were eosinophilic granuloma, and 4% were occult meningoceles and encephaloceles. Most of the dermoid cysts occurred along sutural lines, but some did not. One of the eosinophilic granulomas was located over the sagittal suture. Seventeen per cent of the "lumps" had significant intracranial extension. An additional 20% of the lumps extended intracranially, but only to the dura mater. Work-up of these lesions should include initial plain skull roentgenograms to assess multiplicity and appropriate computed tomographic scans to assess possible intracranial extension.