
Maitha. M. Alhajeri
Khalifa University, USAPresentation Title:
Unveiling the unexpected - A case of parietal intradiploic encephalocele with prior cancer
Abstract
Case: A female in her 70s, previously treated for breast and thyroid cancer, presented to care for an abnormal, rushing sound in her left ear. She denied any other symptoms. Her neurological examination was unremarkable. Although her breast cancer was appropriately treated, further workup of her complaint was warranted to rule out any metastatic process. A brain CT showed a 23 mm left lytic destructive lesion that was PET avid. A brain MRI revealed an enhancing left parietal calvarial lesion. Given the cancer history and unusual imaging findings, she underwent a left parietal craniectomy with cranioplasty. Pathology revealed an intradiploic encephalocele without evidence of metastasis.
Discussion: Various malignant and benign processes can cause skull lesions. A defect in the inner cortical table of the skull vault, whether congenital or traumatic, with an intact outer table can provide a potential space for the brain parenchyma to herniate, resulting in a rare lesion called intradiploic encephalocele. Patients can present with a variety of symptoms, including epileptic seizures, weakness, headaches, or be asymptomatic. MRI is the primary modality of diagnosis. However, atypical patient history, examination, or imaging features can make the diagnosis challenging. Current treatment ranges from surgery to observation. This case report highlights the importance of improving our diagnostic tools for this rare entity and determining the best treatment modality. Analytical studies should be done to broaden our understanding of this unusual skull lesion, sometimes mimicking a metastatic carcinoma.
Biography
Maitha. M. Alhajeri is a senior medical student at Khalifa University for Science and Technology. She is interested in pursuing a residency in neurology. During her medical journey, she participated in various research experiences, including a paper on Neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and calcium effect in oocyte maturation and early development published in Frontier and a book focusing on Multiple Sclerosis and the influence of diet by Springer Nature.