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Craniocerebral epidermoids and dermoids

A review of 44 cases

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Summary

We review 40 epidermoids and 4 dermoids of the skull and brain treated surgically in our Department between 1976 and 1987. Fourteen were extradural and 30 intradural. The mean duration of symptoms was 3 years for extradural and 10 years for intradural tumours. Symptoms varied with tumour site, in some sites being helpful in differential diagnosis. Skull X-rays and CT were the key diagnostic investigations in extradural and CT in intradural lesions, the latter, with few exceptions, presenting a characteristic CT scan. In 7 cases MRI supplied important details on the tumour boundaries. All the diploic and orbital lesions were removed totally, with a good outcome. Twelve of the intradural lesions were removed totally, 9 subtotally and 9 partially, with a good outcome in 21 patients and a poor outcome in 4; 5 patients died. Outcome was unrelated to degree of removal.

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Rubin, G., Scienza, R., Pasqualin, A. et al. Craniocerebral epidermoids and dermoids. Acta neurochir 97, 1–16 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577734

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