ABSTRACT
Objective. To present the clinical and radiologic features and surgical results in the management of dermal and epidermal cysts treated in our institution between 1997 and 2006. Material a method. Age, sex, way of presentation, location, radiologic features, surgical technique and compications of 15 epidermal and 1 dermal tumors diagnosed between may 1997 and October 2006, were retrospectively assessed. Results. Mean age: 43 yrs. Most frequent clinical manifestation: headache. Most tumors were at CPA. All resections were done with microsurgical technique. There were 3 cases of chemical meningitis that resolve without sequel. Discussion. Dermal and epidermal cysts are originated by inclusion of ectodermic material at the moment of occlusion of the neural tube. They represent the 0.3-1.5 of intracranial tumors beeng dermal 5-9 times less frequent. The most frequent location of epidermal cysts is at the CPA while dermal are more frequent in the midline. Clinical fatures depend on location. MRI is the gold standard for diagnosis, epecially the DWI sequence. CT is important for the detection of bone invasion. Treatement is so extensive as possible surgical resection, difficult, sometimes because of strong adhesions to eloquent structures. Conclusion. Dermal and epidermal cysts are high fat content lesions, that produce edherence to neural structures. Surgical excision is the election tratement.