Cerebellar dermoid cyst with occipital dermal sinus. Report of two pediatric cases.

Intracranial dermoid cyst is a rare entity accounting for 0.1-0.7% of all intracranial tumors. The most common location is in the posterior fossa, at or near the midline. We present 2 pediatric cases with dermal sinus. The first case presented with clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar symptoms. CT scan showed a large and regular midline posterior fossa cyst without contrast enhancement. The second case was revealed by recurrent meningitis. CT scan showed a midline vermis low-density mass with capsular contrast enhancement. Dermal sinus was found in 2 cases. Complete surgical removal was performed followed, in a second operation, by ventriculoperitoneal shunt in 2 cases. There was no postoperative complication in our patients. The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical aspects of dermoid cyst, especially in cases with dermal sinus, and to review the therapeutic strategies in case of associated hydrocephalus. Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.