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Total removal of a primary intracranial squamous cell carcinoma invading the brain stem
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland.
Background:
Primary intracranial squamous cell carcinomas are extremely rare, and commonly manifest as malignant transformations of intracranial epidermoid cysts.
Methods:
A case of primary squamous cell carcinoma invading the ventral brain stem and the trigeminal entry zone is described. The tumor was microsurgically totally removed via a paramedian supracerebellar approach. Three years after the operation the tumor recurred, and was again totally removed using the same approach.
Results:
The patient showed no postoperative neurologic deterioration except for a transient deterioration of gait disturbances. The pathologic diagnosis was a recurrence of the squamous cell carcinoma.
Conclusions:
Since primary intracranial squamous cell carcinomas grow slowly and have a well demarcated capsule, total removal should be considered whenever possible.