Epidermoid cyst - posterior cranial fossa

Case contributed by Ammar Haouimi
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Cerebellar symptoms

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T1
This study is a stack
Coronal
T2
This study is a stack
Axial
FLAIR
This study is a stack
Axial
DWI
This study is a stack
Axial
ADC
This study is a stack
Axial
T1 C+
This study is a stack
Axial
T2
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Info

There is an extra-axial mass of irregular lobulated margins centred on the 4th ventricle and extending to the cisterna magna, foramen magnum as well as to the median and lateral apertures. It displays a low signal on T1, heterogeneous/dirty signal on FLAIR, and high signal on T2WI with no enhancement on the postcontrast sequence. It shows a high signal on DWI with low ADC (restricted diffusion). 

A mass effect is noted on the brainstem and cerebellar hemispheres with mild cerebellar atrophy.

Case Discussion

Typical MRI features an epidermoid cyst of the posterior cerebral fossa. DWI an important sequence to differentiate an epidermoid cyst from an arachnoid cyst, in which there is no restricted diffusion in arachnoid cyst.

 

Additional contributor: A. Ramdani, MD

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