Primary intracranial metatypical basal cell carcinoma: case report.

Abstract

A case of primary intracranial metatypic basal cell carcinoma in a 20-year-old man is described. A 20-year-old man presented with palsies of the left cranial nerves VI through XII, including complete facial and vestibulocochlear nerve palsy and signs of cerebellar dysfunction, which included left-sided brachydiadochokinesis and nystagmus when looking to the left. There was no evidence of extracranial tumor manifestation. Imaging showed a tumor located in the left pyramidal bone, filling the left cerebellopontine cistern and compressing the brain stem with an extension into the middle cranial fossa as far as the internal carotid artery. Subtotal tumor removal was accomplished by a combined neurosurgical-otolaryngological procedure through a transpetrosal approach. A histopathological examination revealed a metatypical basal cell carcinoma. Postoperatively, a total dose of 60 Gy of radiation therapy was administered over a period of 6 weeks. Although it is rare, primary intracranial basal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the temporal bone.