Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
09:53
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Cerebriform Ridges on the Scalp Signaling a Tumor in the Brain
Ariel Park1, Sydney Kenney2, Caitlyn Kellogg1
1Department of Dermatology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.
The Permanente Journal
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Cutis verticis gyrata, a scalp overgrowth condition, was identified in a patient with acromegalic features. Early dermatological detection prompted multidisciplinary care and neurosurgery, leading to a cure.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cutis verticis gyrata involves scalp tissue overgrowth forming cerebriform folds.
- It can be primary or secondary to various systemic conditions.
- Acromegaly, a condition of excess growth hormone, can present with distinct cutaneous findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of cutis verticis gyrata secondary to acromegaly caused by a pituitary tumor.
- To emphasize the role of dermatology in early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.
- To highlight the successful outcome following neurosurgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 62-year-old male with scalp ridging and acromegalic features.
- Diagnostic workup including assessment for underlying causes of cutis verticis gyrata.
- Multidisciplinary team approach involving dermatology, endocrinology, and neurosurgery.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with longitudinal scalp ridging and features of acromegaly.
- A pituitary tumor was identified as the cause of acromegaly and cutis verticis gyrata.
- Neurosurgical intervention resulted in biochemical cure and significant symptom improvement.
Conclusions:
- Cutis verticis gyrata can be a rare cutaneous manifestation of acromegaly.
- Dermatological evaluation is crucial for identifying underlying systemic diseases.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration and timely neurosurgical intervention are key for managing such complex cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
01:26Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I
The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:11Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II
Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...