Leptomeningeal cyst of the orbital roof in an adult: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Objective: To present the case of a leptomeningeal cyst involving the orbital roof in an adult. Design: Case report and literature review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Summary: A 47-year-old female with a remote history of a skull fracture at 3 years of age presented with increasing headaches and retro-orbital pain. A computed tomogram and magnetic resonance image revealed a leptomeningeal cyst of the orbital roof. Results: Only one previous leptomeningeal cyst of the orbital roof has been reported in an adult. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed and follow-up imaging 18 months after the operation revealed no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: Although extremely rare, adult patients can develop growing skull fractures or leptomeningeal cysts of the orbital roof. Such lesions should be included in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with orbital pain or exophthalmos and a history of head trauma as a child. Copyright © 2009 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.