Prepontine and Meckel's Cave Dermoid Cyst: MR and CT Findings with Literature Review

Abstract

Dermoid cysts (DCs) are benign, congenital tumors that comprise 0.04-0.6% of all intracranial tumors. DC rupture is a rare complication and usually occurs spontaneously. The most common localisations of intracranial DCs are the posterior fossa, and suprasellar and parasellar regions. The presentations of DCs are highly variable. They are often detected incidentally on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans while investigating the cause of seizure or headache. Prepontine cystern is a rare localisation for intracranial DCs. To the best of our knowledge, only four cases have been reported in the literature so far. We present MRI and CT findings of a patient with DC, which ruptured into the subarachnoid space extending from the right Meckel's cave to the prepontine cistern. Key Words: Dermoid cysts, Meckel's cave, Prepontine cistern, Rupture.