Intracranial complications of midline nasal dermoid cysts

Background: Nasal dermoid cysts are common tumors in children. Due to anomalies in embryologic development of the nasal complex, sometimes an intracranial extension exists. When these cysts become infected they can lead to meningitis, brain abscess and death.

Methods: We report the case of a 1.5-year-old girl admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit after infection of a nasal dermoid cyst.

Results: The infant had a spiking fever and epileptic seizures. She was stabilized, intubated and a CT scan showed a subcutaneous mass with an adjacent zone of encephalitis and brain abscess formation. Neurosurgical interventions were necessary to lower intracranial pressure and control infectious spread. After a hospital stay of 69 days the child could be discharged. Due to her young age, irreversible brain damage is expected.

Conclusion: Nasal midline dermoid cysts are considered benign swellings. When an intracranial extension exists, infection can lead to deleterious complications. It is important for health care practitioners to be aware of this imminent risk. Suspicion of a nasal midline dermoid cyst should prompt a careful clinical work-up with an ultrasound followed by CT or MRI imaging. The treatment is complete excision to avoid disastrous complications and recurrences.     

Clinical and embryological approaches to nasal dermoid sinus cysts

Nasal dermoid sinus cyst (NDSC) is an uncommon congenital lesion presenting as a large panel of midline craniofacial anomalies. Thirty children with nasal midline masses and/or sinus ostia were surgically treated in the pediatric ENT and cervicofacial surgery department of Trousseau's children's hospital (Paris-France) between 1995 and 2002. All our patients underwent radiological evaluation including CT scan (including axial and coronal planes) and/or MRI (in all three planes) in search of intracranial extension. Thirteen of our patients presented with a midline cyst only, ten had nasal pit only, and seven had combined anomalies. Preoperative radiology and surgery showed an intracranial extension in 3 patients, which exhibited contact of the cyst with the dura. Recurrence being expected if any dermal tissues were left in place, "one-time-excision management" was the rule. CT and MR imaging features were reviewed. The external rhinoplasty procedure resulted in a wide surgical approach, low recurrence and good esthetic results. The embryological and anatomical origins of NDSCs are reviewed. Development of NDSC during embryological development implicates two necessary and sufficient conditions: competence of the ectodermal and mesectodermal cells to form dermoid tissue with epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and a topographical site of ectodermal inclusion, which fits well with the various clinical presentations of NDSCs. We propose to distinguish NDSCs of anterior topography, located at the anterior skull base level from the basal NDSCs, located at the middle skull base level. We reviewed the various localizations of NDSCs, revisiting a forgotten embryological theory, which unify the various clinical localizations of anterior NDSCs.     

Intracranial dermoid cysts with nasal dermal sinuses

Summary Dermal sinuses penetrating the dura are important in that they may be complicated by C.N.S. infection, and this complication can be prevented by early surgery. Although well recognised over the occiput and lumbar spine, nasal dermal sinuses extending intracranially are much rarer and have received little attention in the neurosurgical literature. Two unique cases are presented, together with a literature review, discussing the anatomy, radiology, and management of the condition.     

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts and the role of open rhinoplasty.

All suspected congenital abnormalities of the nose require further evaluation. The nasal dermoid sinus cyst (NDSC) is one of the many midline nasal masses that often pose diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for the plastic and reconstructive surgeon. NDSCs are distinct from other facial dermoids in their potential for involving deeper contiguous structures, and intracranial extension. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential to avoid craniofacial skeletal deformation, cyst rupture, and infection that could cause cutaneous, ocular, or intracranial complications. A comprehensive discussion of the embryogenesis, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and surgical management of the NDSC is presented to delineate the role of open rhinoplasty in optimizing the management of this congenital nasal deformity.     

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts: a retrospective review and discussion of investigation and management

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies presenting either as cysts or sinuses. They are frequently associated with extension into the intracranial space, requiring craniotomy for adequate resection. At the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, we have managed 25 patients with nasal dermoid sinus cysts over 8 years and present details of clinical features, preoperative assessment, and surgical management. Six patients presented with infection, including 1 with osteomyelitis. Four of our patients had intracranial extension of their lesions, and all were treated successfully with tailored investigation and appropriate surgical procedures. Insights into diagnosis, investigation, and surgery are offered to facilitate the management of these challenging lesions.     

Stereotactic management of congenital midline cysts

Summary The treatment of congenital midline cysts remains a controversial issue. The Stereotactic management of 27 patients (6 symptomatic cavum septi pellucidi/cavum Vergae, 6 suprasellar cysts, 5 intraventricular cysts, 4 parasagittal cysts, and 6 supracollicular cysts) is reviewed. In 23 patients Stereotactic ventriculo-cystostomy by catheter implantation (internal drainage) led to clinical recovery or improvement accompanied by decreased cyst size. In four patients the internal drainage was not sufficient and was therefore completed as a ventriculo-atrial shunt system. Three minor complications (bleeding, aseptic meningitis, catheter infection) led to no sequelae. The results suggest that Stereotactic internal drainage of these benign lesions is a safe, minimally invasive and efficient procedure.     

The complex nasal dermoid

In a series of 74 nasal dermoids, 45 (61%) were of the simple variety involving skin only. Twenty nine (39%) were of the complex variety with deeper tissue involvement requiring more extensive surgery. Of the 29 complex dermoids, 9 (31%) extended to the cribriform plate region but only 3 (10%) of these had an extradural extension. All of the complex nasal dermoids were adequately managed by a transnasal approach. On these findings a preliminary craniotomy should only be considered in exceptional circumstances.     

Laparoscopic management of ovarian dermoid cysts: ten years' experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic management of ovarian dermoid cysts based upon our ten years' experience. METHODS: Charts of 81 patients who underwent laparoscopic removal of dermoid cysts since March 1988 at Stanford University Medical Center or the Center for Special Pelvic Surgery in Atlanta were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Ninety-three dermoid cysts with a mean diameter of 4.5 cm were removed in 81 patients. Operative techniques used were cystectomy for 70 cysts, salpingooophorectomy for 14, and 9 salpingo-oophorectomy with hysterectomy. Fifty-three cysts were treated via enucleation followed by cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy and removal through a trocar sleeve. Twenty-two were treated via enucleation and removal within an impermeable sack. Nine were treated via enucleation and removal by posterior colpotomy. Nine were removed via colpotomy following hysterectomy. We had a total of 39 spillages. Spillage rates varied with removal method: 32 (62%) for trocar removal without an endobag, 3 (13.6%) for removal within an endobag, and 4 (40%) with colpotomy removal. No spillage occurred for the nine patients who had a colpotomy done for hysterectomy. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 0.98 days, and there were no intraoperative complications. In one case, there was a postoperative complication of an incisional infection in the umbilicus. CONCLUSION: Including this and 13 other studies, review of the literature reveals a 0.2% incidence of chemical peritonitis following laparoscopic removal of dermoid cysts. Thus, we conclude that laparoscopic management of dermoid cysts is a safe and beneficial method in selected patients when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon.     

The diagnosis of ruptured intracranial dermoid cysts

We present a case of a spontaneous asymptomatic rupture of an intracranial dermoid cyst with CT and MR images. The literature on the subject is reviewed. The potential associated complications are discussed.     

Intracranial extension of a nasal dermoid sinus cyst in A 56-year-old man

Background. Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are rare congenital lesions that result from aberrant embryonal development. Cases of nasal dermoids associated with intracranial extension have been reported in the past, but have almost always occurred in children. Methods. One case of a nasal dermoid cyst with intracranial involvement in a 56-year-old man is reported herein. Results. A 56-year-old man presented with a draining sinus in the right medial canthal area and a nasal pit. Imaging studies suggested a nasal dermoid cyst with intracranial extension. He subsequently underwent a craniofacial removal of the lesion with a satisfactory postoperative course. Conclusion. That nasal dermoid cysts can remain dormant until the age of 56 suggests that the incidence of this lesion with intracranial extension may be higher than previously reported. A one-stage combined otolaryngologic/ neurosurgical procedure is advocated for those lesions that are extra- and intracranial. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts

The purpose of this study was to discuss the place and the specific modalities of laparoscopic surgery in the management of ovarian dermoid cysts. This retrospective and noncomparative study was carried out in 65 patients who presented dermoid ovarian cyst between January 1986 and December 1990 in our institution. The surgical treatment was performed purely by laparoscopy in 86.2% of the cases (56 patients). The modalities of laparoscopic surgery were as follows: ovariectomy (8 cases; 14.3%), transparietal cystectomy (4 cases; 7.1%) and intraperitoneal cystectomy (44 cases; 78.6%). In 15 cases (15/44=34%) the intraperitoneal cystectomy was carried out without opening the cyst and the intact cyst was extracted using an endoscopic impermeable sack. We observed no cases of chemical peritonitis. The risk of recurrence after conservative treatment is 4% (two patients) and out of the ten patients for whom a second-look laparoscopy was performed only two (20%) presented adhesions. Laparoscopic treatment of dermoid ovarian cysts is feasible, safe, and effective. The treatment can be conservative in over 80% of the cases. The specific risk of chemical peritonitis can be countered by a change in the cystectomy technique. The use of an impermeable laparoscopic sack permits extraction of the cyst without any peritoneal contamination.     

Endoscopic endonasal resection of a midline intradural frontobasal dermoid tumour.

Dermoid and epidermoid cysts are congenital, slowly growing tumours that usually become symptomatic when patients reach the middle of their third decade. An otherwise healthy 20-year-old man presented with an epileptic attack. Imaging studies including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural cystic lesion located in the anterior subfrontal region. Choices of traditional approaches for such a lesion are a bicoronal craniotomy or a transfacial procedure. Taking the advantage of the endoscope, the authors decided to remove the lesion via an endonasal route. After a fully endoscopic endonasal operation, gross total resection of the dermoid tumour was achieved. We have not observed cerebrospinal fluid leakage or any infectious complication after the operation. In this report the technique of operation and reconstruction method are described. The endoscopic endonasal approach offers a good option for lesions located in the anterior skull base. Carefully piecemeal resection of the tumour while preserving the underlying neural and vascular structures should be the main strategy of the operation. Reconstruction is very important after the surgery and a carefully planned pedicled graft technique may help in the prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage.