Fact-sheet: Intracranial dermoid cyst


Updated on 09/15/2021 at 10:57 AM

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Definition

Congenital ectodermal inclusion cyst.
0.1 to 0.7% of intracranial tumors.

Clinical features

- Asymptomatic in the vast majority of cases
- Related to mass effect
- Signs of meningitis if rupture occurs (headaches, dizziness, vomiting)

CT

- Lobulated, well-defined lesion of fat density
- Intralesional calcifications rare
- Absence of enhancement in the vast majority of cases.
If ruptured:
- Multiple subarachnoid and intraventricular foci of fat density

MRI

- Well-defined lesion with fat signal:
- T1 hyperintense
- T2 hyperintense
- Signal suppression on fat saturation.
- Absence of enhancement in the vast majority of cases.
- If ruptured: multiple subarachnoid and intraventricular foci of fat signal

Management

Watchful waiting if asymptomatic.
Surgical treatment if symptomatic.
Risk of malignant transformation extremely rare

Differential diagnosis

- Epidermoïd cyst: Signal identical to CSF, restricted diffusion - Intracranial lipoma: Presence of a chemical shift artifact - Craniopharyngioma: Enhancing solid component

-Prenatally, meningocele.