Endodermal cyst of the foramen magnum: case report and review of the literature

Childs Nerv Syst. 1998 Mar;14(3):100-3. doi: 10.1007/s003810050187.

Abstract

The majority of endodermal cysts occur in the cervicothoracic spine, ventral to the cord. Intracranial locations are rare. We report a case involving the foramen magnum in a 14-year-old child, which was an incidental finding following a traumatic head injury. A review of the literature revealed six other cases involving this same location. These lesions are asymptomatic for a long time, and may cause brain stem medullary compression. Treatment is surgical. Effective simple removal can be achieved by a posterior approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bone Diseases / diagnosis
  • Bone Diseases / pathology
  • Bone Diseases / surgery
  • Cysts / diagnosis
  • Cysts / pathology
  • Cysts / surgery*
  • Foramen Magnum* / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male