Neurosurgical Management of Skull Base Epidermoid Tumors in Children

Abstract

Epidermoid tumors (ET) are congenital and benign tumors that develop from de ectoderm during neurogenesis. In the skull base, these lesions can insinuate themselves into several intracranial compartments by filling the subarachnoid space, and possibly affecting some important structures, like the brainstem, cerebellopontine angle, the pituitary in the middle fossa, and others. In the pediatrics skull base tumors, the ET represents 7-9%, being very rare. The surgical perspective of these cases is dependent on the extension of the resection. We presented two cases of total and near-total resection of ETs in the pediatric skull base, with successful outcomes.