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Rare Giant Infected Intradiploic Skull Epidermoid Cysts
Joshua S Catapano1, Rohin Singh1, Michael T Lawton1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, USA.
Abstract:
Infections associated with giant intradiploic cranial epidermoid cysts are rare. This case report describes the successful surgical management of a 71-year-old diabetic man with a giant intradiploic cranial epidermoid cyst associated with a secondary infection. The patient underwent successful resection of the infected lesion with washout, debridement, and obliteration of the eustachian canal and external auditory canal. At the six-month follow-up, the infection was resolved and the patient was doing well clinically. Intradiploic epidermoid cysts are rare, and the presence of a superimposed otogenic infection is exceptionally rare and infrequently reported in the neurosurgical literature.
Insights
This case report details the successful surgical treatment of a rare infected giant intradiploic cranial epidermoid cyst in a diabetic patient. Prompt intervention resolved the infection and ensured a positive clinical outcome.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Giant intradiploic cranial epidermoid cysts are uncommon neurosurgical conditions.
- Secondary infections in these cysts are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old diabetic male presented with a secondary infection of a giant intradiploic cranial epidermoid cyst.
- The cyst was associated with otogenic factors, indicated by the involvement of the eustachian and external auditory canals.
Findings:
- Successful surgical resection of the infected cyst was performed.
- The procedure included thorough washout, debridement, and obliteration of adjacent infected canals.
- The patient experienced complete resolution of infection and positive clinical recovery at six months post-surgery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the successful management of a rare combination of a giant intradiploic epidermoid cyst and superimposed otogenic infection.
- It underscores the importance of aggressive surgical management for such complex cases.
- The findings contribute to the limited neurosurgical literature on infected cranial epidermoid cysts.
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