Benign tumors of the cranial vault, a report of 12 cases.

Twelve cases of different types of benign tumors of the cranial vault are described. In most cases there was a localised swelling which was sometimes painful. There were no neurological abnormalities due to the lesion. Radiological examination revealed a zone of radiolucency in all cases. In 8 patients the brain scan with 99mTc sodiumpertechnetate showed an increased uptake at the level of the bone lesion. Eight patients were operated upon and a total resection could be performed. In the four others only a biopsy was done. Histopathological examination revealed a fibrous dysplasia (3x), an eosinophilic granuloma (3x), an osteoid osteoma (2x), a cholesteatoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, an osteoclastoma and a fibroma. The pathological mechanisms underlying these different lesions are discussed.