Cerebral dermoid tumours

Abstract

Four cases of cerebral dermoid tumors with an intraventricular, occipital and sellar location are reported, representing 0.04 % of the verified cerebral tumors in the authors' statistics. A recurrence occurred after one year in the first case of intraventricular dermoid tumor; after the second operation aseptic meningitis developed and the patient died. In the second case microscopic examination revealed aspects of malignant transformation of the tumor. In all there were 3 deaths p.o., all autopsied. The symptoms did not differ from those of other cerebral tumors. Operations should be radical whenever possible, avoiding dispersion of the tumor contents in order to prevent a recurrence of aseptic meningitis.