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Brain Tumor, Epidermoid

Evan M Krueger, DO, MSc and Hamad Farhat Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Congenital ectoderm inclusion cysts that typically occur intracranially

  • Also called epidermoid cysts, epidermoid inclusion cysts, and primary cholesteatomas

  • Benign, slow-growing lesio...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • History typically reveals indolent, long lasting, progressive neurologic symptoms.

  • Nonspecific symptoms can be due to mass effect such as headache (most common) and seizures.

  • Symptoms v...

TREATMENT

Small incidentally noted tumors with typical radiographic and clinical features can be monitored safely with serial exams and imaging; although caution should be exercised if other etiologie...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Follow-up with neurosurgery after hospital discharge 

Patient Monitoring

  • Radiologic follow-up with MRI (preferred) or CT in intervals of 1 to 2 years after surgical...

REFERENCES

1
Nagasawa  DT, Choy  W, Spasic  M, et al. An analysis of intracranial epidermoid tumors with malignant transformation: treatment and outcomes. Clin Neurol Neurosurg....

CODES

ICD10

Q04.6 Congenital cerebral cysts 

SNOMED

  • 276837006 Epidermoid cyst of brain

  • 19276002 congenital cerebral cyst (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Epidermoid tumors are rare congenital cysts that are generally benign and slow-growing.

  • Symptoms are due to mass effect and compression of surrounding structures.

  • Epidermoid tumors are g...

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