Arrested pneumatization of the skull base

Case contributed by Prashant Gupta
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

MRI requested for non specific headache

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
Gender: Female

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Prominent fat signal from basi-sphenoid.

Basi-sphenoid showed fatty marrow interspersed with curvilinear bony trabeculae. No expansion was seen and cranial foramina were of normal caliber. The sphenoid sinus was not pneumatized.

Case Discussion

The MRI showed prominent fat signal from basi-sphenoid. Although no expansion was seen an NCCT was done which showed fatty marrow interspersed with curvilinear bony trabeculae. No expansion was seen and cranial foramina were of normal caliber. The sphenoid sinus was not pneumatized. These findings are consistent with arrested pneumatization of the skull base.

Differential diagnoses include: fibrous dysplasia (expansile, ground glass matrix), skull base osteomyelitis or chordoma (destructive).

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