Layal Abou Zeki, Zeinab Nahle, Marwan Haddad, Omar Al Awar
An epidermoid cyst, although a benign entity, can present with serious symptoms when occurring in the Sylvian fissure, affecting patients' quality of life and necessitating early diagnosis and intervention.
INTRODUCTION: Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare congenital lesions that can occur in the suprasellar region, the cerebellopontine angle, the basilar-pontine fossa, the ventricular system, and, only rarely, the Sylvian fissure.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 41 year-old male patient experiencing headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, truncal ataxia, seizures, and left hemiparesis, who was found to have a right Sylvian fissure epidermoid cyst.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A craniotomy was performed, and step-by-step intraoperative guidance was illustrated. Postoperative follow-up showed a normal neurological examination and resolution of the previously mentioned symptoms (seizures, headaches, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, confusion, left-sided weakness). A comparison with other cases of Sylvian fissure epidermoid cysts was conducted.
CONCLUSION: An epidermoid cyst, although a benign entity, can present with serious symptoms when occurring in the Sylvian fissure, affecting patients' quality of life and necessitating early diagnosis and intervention.