Endoscopic resection of intracranial dermoid cysts.

INTRODUCTION

Nasal dermoid cysts are congenital lesions which are often diagnosed in infancy or childhood. However, a small number present in adulthood, and some extend intracranially. Traditional treatment for the intracranial portion of these cysts includes frontal craniotomy.

CASE REPORTS

Two intracranial dermoid cysts were resected via a transnasal endoscopic approach, using 70° nasal endoscopy for complete visualisation and intracranial tumour removal. We describe our technique for the procedure itself and for reconstruction of the skull base defect.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The endoscopic transnasal skull base approach is an excellent alternative to a traditional frontal craniotomy, to achieve complete resection of intracranial dermoid cysts.