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Neurology India
Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
ISSN: 0028-3886 EISSN: 1998-4022
Vol. 56, Num. 1, 2008, pp. 79-80

Neurology India, Vol. 56, No. 1, January-March, 2008, pp. 79-80

Case Report

Osteoma of anterior cranial fossa complicated by intracranial mucocele with emphasis on its radiological diagnosis

Department of Neuroradiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
Correspondence Address:Department of Neuroradiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing - 100050, yjh2005bj@sina.com

Date of Acceptance: 23-Jun-2007

Code Number: ni08019

Abstract

We present a 43-year-old female patient who had recurrent headache for one year. An intracranial bony lesion surrounded by a cyst in the anterior cranial fossa was found on imaging. Postoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoma and mucocele.

Keywords: Anterior cranial fossa, mucocele, osteoma, surgery

Paranasal sinus osteoma accompanied by mucocele extending intracranially is rare, with less than 20 reported cases in the English literature up to now. Here we describe a case with emphasis on its radiological diagnosis.

Case Report

A 43-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of recurrent headache. Neurological findings and laboratory data were normal. The CT scan [Figure - 1]A showed a bone density mass which was localized in the right anterior cranial fossa, with an intracranial and right frontal sinus extension. It was surrounded by a low-density area in the right frontal region. On MR imaging, the cystic lesion had low signal intensity on T1-weighted, high on T2-weighted imaging [Figure - 1]B, C and intense enhancement of a thin, uniform peripheral zone of tissue [Figure - 1]D.

The patient underwent right frontal craniotomy. Intraoperatively, a large osteoma arising from the right anterior cranial fossa with an intracranial extradural extension was found. Extradural multiloculated cysts containing yellowish jelly-like material surrounded the osteoma [Figure - 2]. Histological examination of the calcified mass [Figure - 3] A, B revealed an osteoma and mucocele. The postoperative course was uneventful. Three months later the patient was doing well without headache.

Discussion

Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are both necessary for this kind of disease. [1] CT is the preferred imaging method for evaluating osteomas. Osteomas are usually seen as a homogenous hyperdense mass. However, mucocele usually manifests as a homogeneous isodense mass, very rarely displaying lower density than the brain on CT scan. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best choice of imaging for mucocele. Signal intensities on both T1- and T2-weighted images are helpful in making a definitive diagnosis of mucocele. But sometimes we have difficulty in differentiating mucoceles from neoplasms according to signal intensities. However, on enhanced MR imaging, a thin peripheral linear enhancement within the mucocele is helpful for the accurate diagnosis of mucocele. Magnetic resonance imaging has very limited diagnostic value for osteoma, because osteomas usually show hypo-signal intensities on both T1- and T2- weighted images and show no enhancement after administration of contrast media on MR examinations.

Differential diagnoses include various types of bone tumors, epidermoid tumor, calcified meningioma, [2] rare extra-axial gliomas, parasite infection (cysticercosis and schistosomiasis) and post-traumatic porencephaly. Pathologically, the mucocele can be differentiated from the intracranial endodermal cyst by its continuity with the intracranial osteoma portion or the sinus.

Total removal of the osteoma and mucocele is necessary, with emphasis on curettage of the mucous membrane, filling the sinus and repairing the dural and bone defects to prevent recurrence and infection. [3]

In conclusion, the knowledge of the radiological features of this entity is important for accurate diagnosis and clinical management.

Acknowledgment

We thank Professor Luo Lin for his help in neuropathology.

References

1.Rao VM, Sharma D, Madan A. Imaging of frontal sinus disease: Concepts, interpretation and technology. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2001;34:23-39.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]  
2.Chitkara NS, Goyal N. Osteoma mimicking a partly calcified meningioma. Neurol India 2003;51:287-8.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Chiu AG, Schipor I, Cohen NA, Kennedy DW, Palmer JN. Surgical decisions in the management of frontal sinus osteomas. Am J Rhinol 2005;19:191-7.  Back to cited text no. 3  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]

Copyright 2008 - Neurology India


The following images related to this document are available:

Photo images

[ni08019f1.jpg] [ni08019f3.jpg] [ni08019f2.jpg]
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