Congenital intracranial teratoma masquerading as encephalocele

Abstract

Teratomas are rare tumors accounting for only 0.5% of all intracranial tumors. However, they are considered as the most common congenital brain tumors present at birth. Commonly, they are found in the sacrococcygeal region, head and neck, gonads, and the mediastinum, although they may be found in other parts of the body. An encephalocele on the other hand is an extracranial lesion with intracranial contents through a defect in the skull. The higher prevalence of encephaloceles often leads to misdiagnosis of other congenital diseases of the brain like tumors as encephalocele. We present a 29-day-old child who presented to the hospital on account of swelling on the skull which was noticed since birth and associated absence of hair over the swelling covered by intact skin with initial impression of encephalocele made. The role of imaging in these patients precisely computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot be overemphasized for appropriate diagnosis and surgical intervention. A radiological diagnosis of congenital intracranial teratoma was made and the patient had surgical excision of the tumor. Congenital intracranial teratoma are rare congenital malformations. The present report demonstrates the classic imaging features as seen on plain radiographs, computed tomography, and MRI which are indispensable for subsequent surgical intervention.